Department for Transport

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of how many drivers of overseas-registered vehicles will not pay the Dartford Crossing toll following changes to the payment arrangements; what estimate he has made of the potential annual loss of revenue from such non-payment; and what steps will be taken to recover payment from drivers of overseas-registered vehicles who do not pay the toll.

Mr John Hayes: The Highways Agency estimates that non-UK registered vehicles will account for around 3 out of every 100 crossings and the majority of these are expected to comply with the charge.　 The Highways Agency are serious about tackling non-compliance and will use effective penalty and recovery processes that have been proven elsewhere, such as the London congestion charging and Dublin M50 toll schemes.　 The new Dartford Charging Scheme Order enables the Agency to enforce the Dartford Crossing road user charge through penalty charges and recovery processes. A European debt recovery agency, with access to a variety of foreign vehicle databases, will also be used to pursue and recover outstanding charges from non-UK vehicles that evade paying the Crossing charge.

Renewable Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the capacity of his Departmental buildings for the micro-generation of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: The Department for Transport has already deployed some micro-generation of renewable electricity on its Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency estate in the form of photo-voltaic cells and wind turbines.The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are currently planning the installation of rooftop photo-voltaic arrays on three of their sites in Swansea.The Department will continue to consider further future installations of renewable energy generation systems where they are economically viable.

M1: Speed Limits

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason variable speed limits of 60 mph were in force on the M1 motorway at 3.30 pm on 27 November 2014 when traffic flows northbound were relatively light; what measures are in place to prevent those operating the variable speed limits anticipating heavier traffic when, in fact, it does not materialise; and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Hayes: The Highways Agency has systems installed across the motorway network which measure the speed and volume of traffic flows using inductive loops buried in the carriageway or roadside radar. When the number of vehicles rises above certain predefined thresholds and/or if the speed of traffic drops below a set level, progressively slower speeds are set on the motorway signs and signals. In some locations these are advisory speed limits and act as a safety measure to gradually reduce the speed of traffic to avoid sudden braking and bunching, which is a notable cause of accidents. It also helps to protect the back of any queue that may have formed. On ‘Smart Motorways’ the systems trigger mandatory speed limits that provide the safety benefits already mentioned but also maintain traffic flows and thus reduce overall journey times. Even though the safety and congestion benefits of this system have been proven, there are circumstances where the systems can be triggered to show reduced speeds even when traffic flows appear light. For example, a slow moving abnormal load or heavy equipment on an inclined section of motorway. On occasions the systems are so effective in managing traffic flows that the expected congestion from traffic flows is prevented and thus road users see the warning signs and reduced speeds but do not see the queue/congestion. The systems continually monitor flows and will reset when conditions allow. The Highways Agency’s Regional Control Centres maintain a 24/7 overview of the network and can see where the automated systems are generating queue messages and/or reduced speeds. Extensive CCTV coverage, particularly on sections of Smart motorways (such as the M1, M6, M25, M42 and M62), means that operators can review conditions and override settings according to the situation. I have asked the Highways Agency for a report on the specific circumstances raised in the question.

Speed Limits

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what procedures are in force at the Highways Agency to ensure that no one person can impose a variable speed limit that is too low for the traffic conditions pertaining at the time; how and when such procedures are reviewed to ensure low speed limits do not remain in place longer than they need to; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, who at the Highways Agency, under whose authority, determines when to utilise variable speed limits; what mechanisms are in place to ensure that these speed limits are regularly reviewed so that they correspond to the needs of live traffic; and if he will make a statement.

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what mechanisms are in place to ensure that when variable speed limits on motorways are activated, the variable speed limit is not too low for the traffic conditions at the time; and if he will make a statement.

Mr John Hayes: The Traffic Officer Manual provides detailed guidance to control room operators on the correct procedures for setting variable speed limits. Supervisory staff in the Highways Agency regional control centres are responsible for ensuring that a constant overview is maintained of the network conditions - and appropriateness of variable speeds - relevant to safety and smooth traffic flow. Variable speed limits are set in response to conditions on the road and are only used when necessary.

Large Goods Vehicles

Mr Mike Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the average cost incurred or earnings lost by road users whose vehicles are incapacitated following sideswipe collisions attributable to heavy goods vehicles.

Claire Perry: I have no specific estimate of the average cost incurred or earnings lost by road users whose vehicles are incapacitated following sideswipe collisions attributable to heavy goods vehicles. The Department for Transport’s published accident values for use in project and policy appraisal comprise several costs elements, including the lost output (or earnings) of those injured in road accidents. The values are averages across all reported accidents and are provided by accident severity and road class.

Large Goods Vehicles

Mr Mike Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of trends in the number of incidents in which heavy goods vehicles have sideswiped vehicles which are (a) stationary and (b) in transit at the time of collision over the last five years.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) involved in accidents that resulted in a personal injury and were reported to the police in the last five years with a) a stationary vehicle and (b) a non-stationary vehicle where the heavy goods vehicle was changing lane to the left or right can be found in the tables below:  a) Number of HGVs involved in reported personal-injury accidents with a stationary vehicle where the HGV was changing lane to the left or right: GB, 2009-2013 20092010201120122013Changing lane to left86753Changing lane to right32422  Total1181175 b) Number of HGVs involved in reported personal-injury accidents with a non-stationary vehicle where the HGV was changing lane to the left or right: GB, 2009-2013 20092010201120122013Changing lane to left302332284248252Changing lane to right417400348331325  Total719732632579577 The non-stationary vehicle may have been undertaking a number of different manoeuvres such as reversing, performing a U-turn, slowing/stopping or moving off. The HGV manoeuvre in all the above figures was changing lane to the left or right. These figures come from police reported accident data. They only include accidents in which at least one person was injured and were reported to the police.

Large Goods Vehicles

Mr Mike Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what interim assessment he has made of the incidence of collisions involving vehicles participating in the Longer HGV Semi-Trailer Trial.

Claire Perry: The annual report on the longer semi-trailer (LST) trial published in June 2014 included an interim assessment of collisions involving vehicles participating in the trial. This is published on the Government’s website and can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-longer-semi-trailer-trial-annual-report-2013 This report includes analysis of reported road collisions involving LSTs resulting in injury, which shows that the incidence of such collisions is lower than that for the GB Articulated fleet in general. Longer semi-trailer trial vehicles operating between September 2012 and December 2013 were involved in five incidents in which someone was injured, 4 of them slight injuries and one serious injury (broken arm). Of these, one slight and one serious injury occurred on public roads, the remainder in depots or other private areas. For the general population of heavy goods vehicles, casualty data are only available for incidents that occur on public roads. Comparing these data, longer semi-trailer trial vehicles were involved in injury incidents on public roads at a rate of 48.8 per billion vehicle kilometres. This compares with a rate of 187.4 injury incidents per billion vehicle kilometres for all articulated heavy goods vehicles in Great Britain over the period 2010-2012. The number of casualties in incidents involving all articulated HGVs was an average of over 3,400 per year over this period. In addition, the report estimated that between 600 thousand and 900 thousand HGV vehicle kilometres have been removed from the road as a result of longer semi-trailer operations between September 2012 and December 2013. This will help to further reduce the risk of incidents occurring.

Large Goods Vehicles

Mr Mike Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when the guidance in respect of (a) lane discipline and (b) related testing requirements for heavy goods vehicles was last revised.

Claire Perry: Guidance in the book The Official DVSA Guide to Driving Goods Vehicles is revised in response to feedback and research. The last time the advice on lane discipline was revised was in a reprint in June 2011 where two paragraphs were added. There have been no changes since.

Large Goods Vehicles

Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent representations he made to his EU counterparts on delays in the introduction of the revised EU Directive 96/53 on vehicle cab design.

Claire Perry: Negotiations about changes to EU Directive 96/53/EC are continuing under the Italian Presidency.　 We support proposed changes to the directive to allow extra length to enable new cab designs, with the timings to be determined in Type Approval legislation. We support the completion of the negotiations as soon as possible.

M27

Mr Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on making the stretch of motorway between junctions 4 and 11 of the M27 a smart motorway.

Mr John Hayes: In the June 2013 spending round, 15 smart motorway interventions were confirmed for delivery post 2015. The M27 J4 – J11 was one of 15 locations identified. The Highways Agency has been progressing traffic modelling, technical/environmental surveys, development of the operational concept and design work. This will support delivery of a programme of smart motorway solutions across the 15 locations.

Bus Services: Disability

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that all new buses across the UK are installed with audio-visual announcements; and what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the results of the All Aboard Competition run by his Department.

Mr John Hayes: The Department for Transport understands the social benefits of having audio and visual announcement systems on buses, and we are keen to encourage operators and local authorities to invest in this technology, where possible. However, there is a need to be realistic about the cost of installing and maintaining this technology and the financial burden this could place on smaller, local bus operators. We therefore have no plans to make these systems mandatory on all new buses. The ‘All Aboard’ technology competition was launched by my noble colleague, the Minister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer, on 24th October 2014 and will challenge our talented students around the country to come up with cost-effective ideas about how to provide passengers with accessible on-board information. The competition will run until February 13th 2015 and its outcome will be considered after this date.

Railways

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve capacity utilisation on the East Coast and West Coast main lines in order to allow more open access services to compete with the franchised operator.

Claire Perry: Government is investing heavily in the rail network to increase strategic capacity for the benefit of passengers and £38bn will be spent on enhancing and maintaining the network between 2014 and 2019. Specific plans to upgrade the East Coast Mainline are set out in the Rail Investment Strategy and £9bn was spent on upgrading the West Coast Mainline. Decisions about the available capacity and the access rights to utilise it, including that that will be provided by the infrastructure enhancements as a result of the Rail Investment Strategy, are made by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Railways

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his policy is on the future role of open access operators on the rail network.

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department plans to take to lower barriers to greater open access rail competition (a) in general and (b) on the West Coast and East Coast main lines.

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to better support (a) all new entrants to the railway operation market and (b) open access rail operators.

Claire Perry: The Department is supportive of the principles and the benefits of competition that open access can bring, such as greater choice and lower fares for some passengers. Open access operators have helped to provide new services for passengers and grow new rail markets. However, these benefits must be set against the need to reduce the overall cost of the railway to taxpayers and balanced against the potential to abstract passenger revenue from franchised operators. Decisions on granting access rights to operate railway services are the responsibility of the independent Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). ORR does not normally approve access rights for new competing services, including open access services, which would not generate at least 30p of new revenue for every £1 abstracted from existing operators. ORR also takes account of the total amount of abstraction from franchised operators in order to consider the effect this may have on the funds available to the Secretary of State for the purposes of his functions in relation to railways and railway services. The Department is continuing to develop the franchising approach and to engage with prospective operators about the opportunities within the railways in England and Wales. The pre-qualification process, which is the first stage operators face in the franchising competition process, is designed to ensure a field of appropriately qualified operators to meet the requirements of passengers and the Department; the process has been recently adapted to specifically encourage new entrants and partnerships.

Railways

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department has issued to the Office of Rail Regulation on supporting more competition between franchised rail operators and open access rail operators where capacity and appropriate conditions exist.

Claire Perry: The Secretary of State issued statutory guidance to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in July 2012. Paragraph 24 provided guidance on access rights. A copy of the guidance is attached and can also be viewed on the GOV.UK website at:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/3642/sos-guidance-to-orr.pdf In August 2013 the Department responded to the ORR’s consultation, “Periodic Review 2013. On-rail competition: Consultation on options for change in open access”. A copy of the letter is also attached and it can be viewed on the ORR’s website at:http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/3752/on-rail-competition-dft.pdf  



216957 - SoS letter to ORR
(PDF Document, 39.17 KB)




216957 - on-rail competition
(PDF Document, 497.13 KB)

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to insulate his Departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: I refer my Hon Friend to the answer I gave on 9 September 2014 to Question UIN 208348

Campaign for Better Transport

Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby, has responded to the letter of 28 October 2014 from the Campaign for Better Transport; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: A response to the letter from Campaign for Better Transport sent on 28 October 2014 to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby; was sent on 26 November 2014 by myself, as Minister responsible for freight.

Transport: Indonesia

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve transport links between the UK and Indonesia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Robert Goodwill: A new bilateral UK/Indonesia Air Services Agreement was negotiated by the Department for Transport with its Indonesian counterparts as recently as 2012. The Agreement improves previous arrangements by allowing airlines from either country to operate up to fourteen services per week in each direction between points in the UK and points in Indonesia. However, whilst it is the Department’s role and aim to negotiate as many opportunities as possible with the UK’s bilateral partners, it is ultimately for the airlines to decide on the services they operate based on their commercial judgement.

Tolls

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the income from toll charges in (a) 2015 and (b) 2014.

Mr John Hayes: There is only one toll for which the Secretary of State is responsible, on the Severn Crossings. Even in this case, the level of tolls is defined by primary legislation. The toll revenue goes to Severn River Crossings Plc to cover the maintenance costs and debts incurred, principally from building the second crossing. The estimated gross toll income for the Severn Crossings is £113m for 2015 and £109m for 2014.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that foreign-registered vehicles pay the charge for the Dartford River Crossing.

Mr John Hayes: An automatic number plate recognition system is in use, which is capable of capturing non-UK vehicle registration marks. Where there is any doubt about the nationality of the plate, images will be manually reviewed by trained staff. The new Dartford Charging Scheme Order enables the Agency to enforce the Dartford road user charge through penalty charges and recovery processes. A European debt recovery agency with access to a variety of foreign vehicle databases will be used to pursue and recover outstanding charges from vehicles that evade paying the Crossing charge.

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing

Mr John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department made of the cost of setting up the tolling system for the Dartford River Crossing; and what estimate he has made of the cost of operating it in 2015.

Mr John Hayes: Initial set up costs for the scheme are estimated to be in the range £48 million-£62 million. This includes the implementation costs for vehicle detection, charging and enforcement management services and the road infrastructure, traffic management and safety works. It also includes the internal project costs. The estimated cost of operating the new system in the calendar year 2015 is £24.5m. This includes costs paid to the service provider (Sanef), third party costs, and the Highways Agency’s internal costs.

Roads

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the benefit cost ratios are of each of the major road projects proposed in the Autumn Statement.

Mr John Hayes: I refer my Rt. Hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15th October 2014, to Question 208956 when I outlined a number of Benefit Cost Ratios (BCRs) for some schemes that will be under construction during the period 2015/16 – 2020/21. Finalised BCRs are not yet available for the schemes announced through the publication of the Road Investment Strategy. As is standard practice, further appraisal of all schemes will be carried out as the proposals progress through the final business case process.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Welfare Assistance Schemes

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many of the responses to his Department's consultation on Local Welfare Provision 2015 to 2019 expressed a preference for each of options 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Kris Hopkins: The Government received more than 5,000 responses to the consultation which are being considered, alongside the review by Department for Work and Pensions into existing provision. The Government will make a decision based on this analysis in time for the provisional local government finance settlement due shortly.

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he has taken to insulate his departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Kris Hopkins: The Department for Communities and Local Government has undertaken a number of steps to insulate its offices. All refurbishment work is compliant with the most recent building regulations, specifically the insulation requirements contained within Part L Conservation of Fuel and Power. The Department has also undertaken retrofit measures, such as draught proofing and lagging pipes, ducts and vessels; as well as trialling innovative window films which help improve the thermal efficiency of glazing. In addition, the Department is committed to complying with the Top Quartile for Energy Performance target which helps ensure that any new buildings to the Government estate are energy efficient and well insulated. In parallel to our work on insulation and energy conservation, the Department has implemented a more comprehensive carbon reduction programme which has led to a 54% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions since 2009-10. This has primarily been achieved through low and no cost energy efficiency measures, and operating our buildings even more efficiently. In taking this action, we have reduced our annual energy bill by £925,000 since 2009-10, and we continue to work towards identifying even greater efficiencies.

Welfare Assistance Schemes

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of how local authorities have spent funding allocated for Local Welfare Assistance; and what assessment will be used to inform the decision on funding for Local Welfare Provision in 2015-16.

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the future of funding for Local Welfare Assistance schemes.

Kris Hopkins: The consultation on how local welfare provision should be funded in 2015/16 closed on 21 November. Government is analysing the responses alongside the Department for Work and Pensions’ review of current provision The Government will make a decision based on this analysis in time for the provisional local government finance settlement due shortly.

Affordable Housing

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the average (a) rent and (b) proportion of market rent is of the homes built or converted as part of the affordable rent model.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Private Rented Housing: Construction

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many homes have been completed as a result of the private renting component of the Housing Bond Guarantee Scheme.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Affordable Housing

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many homes have been converted to the Government's affordable rent model since it was introduced.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Housing Bond Guarantee Scheme

Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many bids for funding the Government has received for the private renting component of the Housing Bond Guarantee Scheme.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ukraine

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Ukrainian government since that country's recent parliamentary elections.

Mr David Lidington: I refer the Hon Member to Question 211380 of 28 October which details the British Government’s latest contact with the Ukrainian government.

Nigeria

Richard Fuller: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he has taken to support the Nigerian government in tackling acts of terrorism by Boko Haram.

James Duddridge: The UK, along with other international partners, is providing military, intelligence and development support to Nigeria to assist its efforts to tackle the terrorist activities of Boko Haram and to address the root causes of instability. The substantial package of UK assistance includes training and advice to Nigerian units deploying against Boko Haram; support to the Nigerians in bringing increased development and prosperity to the North East; and a commitment to draw 1 million more children into education in Northern Nigeria by 2020. One of Boko Haram's strategies has been to deny Nigeria's children access to opportunity and exposure to perspectives outside their narrow and barbaric ideology. On 3 September, while leading the UK delegation at a conference on Boko Haram in Abuja with regional foreign ministers, I stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation to help Nigeria end the threat from Boko Haram.

Russia

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information his Department has supplied to the British embassy in Moscow to enable people involved in the (a) arrest, torture and death of Sergei Magnitsky and (b) fraud he uncovered to be identified when visa applications are assessed.

Mr David Lidington: The Home Office works closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and other government departments to identify individuals whose presence in the UK would not be conducive to the public good, including on the basis of human rights abuses. Details of individuals who are banned from entering the UK are included on the UK watch list which means that Entry Clearance Officers and Border Force officials are able to refuse visas or deny entry. It is Government policy not to discuss specific information held on watch lists as to do so would not be in the interests of border and national security.The FCO cooperates with the Home Office on the availability of independent, reliable and credible evidence that an individual has committed human rights abuses. Where our Posts abroad have identified individuals that should be refused entry to the UK on the basis of human rights abuses they will refer such cases to the Home Office for consideration.

Diplomatic Service

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 15 September 2008 to Question 218988 and pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2014 to Question 215445, how much it cost to collate the information to answer Question 218988; and what the estimated cost is for answering Question 215445.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) no longer holds information pertaining to the cost of collating the response given by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for Sheffield Heeley (Meg Munn) on 15 September 2008 (PQ 218988). The guide to Parliamentary work (available on the Cabinet Office website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-parliamentary-work and already in the Library of the House) sets out that Government departments can refuse to answer a question where the cost of responding to that question would be above the disproportionate cost threshold, which is currently set at £850. The FCO has calculated that any answer which involves consulting all Ambassadors and High Commissioners in our overseas Network would exceed this threshold.

Cuba

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on the relaxation of the EU's political position on Cuba.

Mr Hugo Swire: On 29 April 2014, Cuba and the EU opened negotiations on a bilateral agreement on Political Dialogue and Cooperation in Havana. The UK supported the opening of negotiations with Cuba. The agreement will allow the EU to respond more effectively to Cuba’s ongoing process of change and modernisation by providing a stronger framework for political dialogue and improved cooperation. The defence and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms will remain central to the relationship. Two rounds of negotiations have so far taken place, led by the European External Action Service on the EU side. Our position during the negotiations has been balanced, constructive and supportive of the proposal.

Cuba

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on that body's policy towards Cuba.

Mr Hugo Swire: Officials have participated actively in the negotiations of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement during regular meetings of the Latin American and Caribbean Working Group in Brussels and also via regular meetings among EU Heads of Mission in Havana. We have adopted a positive stance in pursuit of a strategic agreement that supports UK and EU political, human rights and commercial objectives.

Cuba

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what his policy is on Cuba.

Mr Hugo Swire: We have deepened our relationship with Cuba through enhanced engagement building on the UK-Cuba 2011 Bilateral Declaration. I recently paid a three-day visit to Cuba, as the first British Minister to visit in nearly a decade. I signed three bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) during my visit and explained to Cuban Ministers our desire to see an improvement to the bilateral relationship in areas where we have a shared interest. We already have pragmatic cooperation on strategic issues such as counternarcotics, trade and investment, climate change and, more recently on Ebola, where we are co-operating closely in combating the disease in Sierra Leone. Our Embassy in Havana remains active on the ground on human rights and I made clear during my visit our concerns about freedom of expression and association, as well as the need to release prisoners of conscience. I also called on Cuba to ratify the UN Covenants on Political and Economic Rights.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the cost to date has been of the Draft Feasibility Study for the Resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory Report; and what the expected final cost of that study is.

James Duddridge: The BIOT Administration are paying for the independent feasibility study on resettlement of the British Indian Ocean Territory. The total costs charged to them to date stands at just under £71,000 (including VAT). This figure not only includes costs of the independent consultants, but also associated expenses such as translations for Chagossians, for a research visit to BIOT, and to speak to the communities in person here in the UK, Mauritius and the Seychelles. The full final cost is expected to be approximately £650,000.

Indonesia

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what reports he has received of protests against the election of a Christian as Governor of Jakarta; and what steps he is taking to promote freedoms of religion and speech in Indonesia.

Mr Hugo Swire: Following the inauguration of Basuki (Ahok) Tjahaja Purnama, as Governor of Jakarta in November, there were some small-scale protests. However, there was also a significant counter movement on social media and public demonstrations of support from a campaign called ‘Muslims in support of Ahok’. Governor Purnama is the first Chinese-Indonesian and second Christian to become Governor of Jakarta, and it is testament to Indonesia’s traditions of religious tolerance and respect for diversity that the great majority are supportive of him taking up the position of governor.Our Ambassador designate met the Indonesian Minister for Law, Justice & Human Rights on 18 November and raised the rights of religious minorities and freedom of expression. We also maintain a regular dialogue with religious leaders, civil society and government officials on freedom of religion or belief. The third EU-Indonesia Human Rights Dialogue was held on 12 November and in response to concerns we raised the new Indonesian government underlined the importance they attach to tackling discrimination against religious minorities.

Hong Kong

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2014 to Question 213991, whether the Hong Kong Police are continuing the process of verifying whether any of the tear gas canisters used during the protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 were manufactured by a UK company.

Mr Hugo Swire: Holding answer received on 08 December 2014



The Government has not held any discussions with the Hong Kong Police to verify whether any of the tear gas canisters used during the protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 were manufactured by a UK company nor have we sought independent confirmation. We judge that Hong Kong Police have generally approached the protests carefully and proportionately, but will keep this under review as the situation progresses.

Vietnam

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the authorities in Vietnam about human rights and the protection of minorities.

Mr Hugo Swire: I most recently raised our human rights concerns, specifically freedom of expression, in November when I met the new Vietnamese Ambassador to London. I also raise human rights with the Vietnamese in our formal, annual Strategic Dialogue, the next of which is planned for early 2015.British Embassy officials have regular working level discussions with the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Justice on both domestic and international human rights issues. Most recently, on 3 December, our Ambassador to Vietnam raised the importance of maintaining a constructive and regular dialogue on human rights in a meeting with Pham Binh Minh, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam.

Lebanon

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he had made of the effect in Lebanon of the continued fighting in Syria and the influx of refugees.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The ongoing crisis in Syria is having a major impact on Lebanon. We are concerned about recent fighting around the Lebanon-Syria border and attacks by ISIL and Al Nusra Front on the Lebanese Army and Lebanese towns in the border area. There are currently around 1.2 million refugees in Lebanon, creating pressure on services which in turn has led to tensions with some host communities. We are committed to supporting Lebanon’s stability. By the end of this year, the UK will have provided £150 million since the start of the Syrian crisis to support refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon. We have also provided £20 million to support the Lebanese Armed Forces Land Border Regiments as they protect Lebanon from spillover violence in Syria.

Burma

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the government of Burma on tackling sexual violence in that country.

Mr Hugo Swire: I raised this issue directly with the Commander in Chief of the Burmese military and the Northern Commander during my most recent visit to Burma in January. In October, the Minister of State for International Development, my right hon. Friend the Member for New Forest West (Mr Swayne), also raised the issue with Burma’s Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.Burma has endorsed the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict. This is a positive step. The Burmese authorities now need to demonstrate that they are committed to honouring the commitments contained in the Declaration, including reforming military doctrine and ending the culture of impunity for acts of conflict-related sexual violence. We will continue to press the Burmese military and government to hold perpetrators to account.

Bangladesh

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage the cessation of restrictions on freedom of religion and speech in Bangladesh.

Mr Hugo Swire: During the meeting between the Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), and the Bangladesh Prime Minister in July, both agreed on the importance of an open society and political system in which democratic political participation and media freedoms are respected.Where we have concerns over restrictions on freedom of religion and speech, we will continue to raise these with the government of Bangladesh.Freedom of expression, including on the internet as well as more traditional media, is fundamental to building democracy. We believe that people must be allowed to freely discuss and debate issues, challenge their governments and make informed decisions in accordance with domestic and international human rights law. Encouraging free press helps to improve long-term social, political and economic stability.

Colombia

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with the Colombian government on the protection of politicians and peace activists who have been threatened and targeted for assassination by paramilitary organisations.

Mr Hugo Swire: Holding answer received on 08 December 2014



We remain concerned by reports of threats against civil society and members of congress by the BACRIM (criminal bands). I raised this issue with Ministers and senior officials from across the Colombian government during my visit earlier this year. More recently, our Ambassador in Bogota raised this issue on 30 September during a meeting with the Presidential High Adviser for Human Rights, Guillermo Rivera, and Rafael Blanco from the Chief Office of International Affairs. He was assured that this issue had been raised with the Attorney General’s office and that they had been urged to quickly investigate in order to make a robust assessment of the context of the threats. The Colombian government has also assured us that its Ministry of the Interior is working to ensure that adequate protection measures are in place. Our Embassy in Bogota continues to urge the Colombian government to take further measures to prevent violence and threats against human rights defenders, trades unionists, civil society and politicians and to promptly investigate human rights violations.

Iran

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of when negotiations on the future of Iran's nuclear programme, including enrichment capacity, will be completed.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The E3+3 and Iran have extended negotiations until the end of June 2015, with the aim of concluding an outline agreement by the end of March. We did this because we believe that a deal is possible but more time is needed to bridge differences – particularly on the core issue of Iran’s enrichment capacity.

Hong Kong

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2014 to Question 213991, what process was followed for determining whether arms transfer licences should be reviewed as a consequence of the use of tear gas canisters during the protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014.

Mr Hugo Swire: Holding answer received on 08 December 2014



Government policy states that during sudden changes in conditions in an export destination, in particular where there are increased concerns about human rights, all relevant extant export licences are subject to review. After carefully reviewing one current licence against the Consolidated Criteria, the Government decided that it does not contravene the Consolidated Criteria. Therefore, this licence remains open. The Government continues to monitor the situation in Hong Kong very closely.

Hong Kong

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2014 to Question 213991, for what reasons it was decided that following the use of tear gas canisters during protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 only one arms transfer licence should be subject to review.

Mr Hugo Swire: Holding answer received on 08 December 2014



Following the use of tear gas by the Hong Kong Police on 28 September, the Government looked at all extant licences for tear gas exports to the Hong Kong Police since 1999. It was concluded that only one export licence for export of tear gas to the Hong Kong Police remained extant and relevant, granted in August 2010. This licence remains open.

Hong Kong

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2014 to Question 213991, what discussions the Government has had with Hong Kong police to verify whether any and how many of the tear gas canisters used during protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 were manufactured by Chemring Ltd or another UK company.

Mr Hugo Swire: Holding answer received on 08 December 2014



Following the use of tear gas during protests in Hong Kong on 28 September, the Government carried out a review of licences for UK tear gas exports to the Hong Kong Police. As the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr Vince Cable) has reported to Parliament, the review only identified one licence for tear gas and, after careful review, the Government has decided that this licence will not be revoked on the basis that it does not contravene the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.Given this, the Government has not held any discussions with the Hong Kong Police to verify whether any of the tear gas canisters used during the protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 were manufactured by a UK company nor have we sought independent confirmation. We judge that Hong Kong Police have generally approached the protests carefully and proportionately, but will keep this under review as the situation progresses.

Hong Kong

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 November 2014 to Question 213991, what independent verification would be considered adequate to persuade the Government whether the tear gas canisters used during the protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 were manufactured by a UK company; and what steps his Department has taken to verify whether this is the case.

Mr Hugo Swire: Holding answer received on 08 December 2014



Following the use of tear gas during protests in Hong Kong on 28 September, the Government carried out a review of licences for UK tear gas exports to the Hong Kong Police. As the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Mr Vince Cable) has reported to Parliament, the review only identified one licence for tear gas and, after careful review, the Government has decided that this licence will not be revoked on the basis that it does not contravene the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria. Given this, the Government has not held any discussions with the Hong Kong Police to verify whether any of the tear gas canisters used during the protests in Hong Kong on 28 September 2014 were manufactured by a UK company nor have we sought independent confirmation. We judge that Hong Kong Police have generally approached the protests carefully and proportionately, but will keep this under review as the situation progresses.

Pitcairn Islands

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what progress his Department has made on implementation of the recommendations of the third Pitcairn Child Safety Review.

James Duddridge: The third independent Pitcairn Child Safety Review (CSR) provided a further assessment of child safety and safeguarding measures with 21 recommendations put forward. A summary of the recommendations was placed in the House of Commons Library last year. The majority of the recommendations have been implemented with a small number on going. A further CSR is under discussion.Her Majesty's Government (HMG) has upgraded its presence on the island with a newly arrived Administrator. Officials visited the island in 2013 and had detailed discussions on child safeguarding with the Council. Child Matters Trust, a New Zealand based Non Governmental Organisation, visited the island in 2014 to deliver training. The new Governor based in New Zealand has re-iterated the importance of child safeguarding during his first visit in November.There is a stronger partnership between HMG and the Pitcairn Island Council on child safeguarding. We work closely with the Council to implement all the recommendations. Our commitment to strengthen the protection of children, young people and their families on Pitcairn remains a top priority. Established policies and procedures are in place for handling child protection concerns. This includes the retention of a restrictive applications process for visits to Pitcairn by minors. There is a community of professionals on Pitcairn, including a police officer, a trained social worker, a teacher and a doctor, who all play an important role in child safety. Until such time as a future report shows no risk to children on the island, the very robust safeguarding measures will remain in place.

Wales Office

Iron and Steel: Industry

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the use of public procurement to support the steel industry in Wales.

Stephen Crabb: Public procurement has the potential to create significant business and growth opportunities and I have met with leaders of the steel industry in Wales to discuss how the industry can best be supported by encouraging the use of domestic steel in UK Government contracts. I have also held discussions on the steel industry in Wales with the Minister of State at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills as well as the Welsh Government.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he has taken to insulate his departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Swinson: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has not made any recent changes to the insulation of the departmental estate, however a number of steps have been taken to improve energy efficiency. The Department currently uses energy monitoring software to examine energy usage at a number of BIS sites. This provides daily consumption data and enables estate management to reduce usage and optimise building services. Building Management Systems are also installed across the estate, providing live data to engineers on building performance and energy demand throughout each building. The Department has a number of renewable energy installations installed which support the department to reduce carbon and increase efficiency. The Biomass boiler at Companies House in Cardiff produces 88% of heating for the building, saving 227 tonnes of carbon per annum. The scheme has become an Ofgem case study and Carbon Trust Exemplar. An ongoing initiative aimed at reducing energy consumption in the BIS core building is the partial Christmas shutdown at 1 Victoria Street. This has been implemented since 2011. The main areas of focus are the reduction of operational workspace in the building, reducing heating and cooling load by disabling most of the heating zones and reducing the number of operational lifts. BIS has saved approximately £12,000 and 80 tonnes of CO2. This year, in order to increase further energy savings, the feasibility of implementing this across further sites is being investigated.

Public Houses

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he last met representatives of (a) the Campaign for Real Ale, (b) the British Beer and Pub Association, (c) Punch Taverns, (d) Enterprise Inns and (e) Marston's Brewery.

Jo Swinson: My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills last met representatives of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) on 25 February 2014 when he spoke at a CAMRA reception in the House of Commons. He has not met representatives of Punch Taverns, Enterprise Inns or Marston’s in 2013 or 2014 but last met representatives of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA), the representative organisation for brewers and pub companies, on 30 September 2013. Other BIS ministers have also met CAMRA, the BBPA and pub companies on a number of occasions as set out below: · I met CAMRA on 22 January 2013 (roundtable for tenant organisations) · I met BBPA and Punch on 28 January 2013 · My Hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Michael Fallon) met Enterprise Inns on 27 February 2013 · I met BBPA, Marston’s, Enterprise Inns and Punch at a roundtable on 12 June 2013 and officials attended a further roundtable with CAMRA and other tenant representatives on 13 June 2013 when I was unable to attend due to illness · My Hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott) met BBPA and Punch Taverns on 24 March 2014 · My Hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff Central (Jenny Willott) met Camra on 31 March 2014 · My noble Friend Baroness Neville Rolfe met BBPA and Punch Taverns on 1 December 2014

Takeovers

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a public interest test with regards to corporate takeovers; and for what reasons provision for such a test was not included in the Small Business Enterprise and Employment Bill.

Jo Swinson: The power to propose changes to the public interest regime is set out under the Enterprise Act 2002, and would involve the Secretary of State bringing forward secondary legislation. While we keep this issue under review, we are not currently planning to bring forward changes to the regime. We do, however, welcome the consultation launched by the Takeover Panel in September 2014. This consultation proposed changes to the Takeover Code to allow companies to make more binding, long-term commitments during the bid process. These proposed changes would distinguish between a voluntary commitment made by a company about actions they commit to take, and statements about actions they intend to take. They would also enhance the Panel’s ability to monitor on-going compliance. I understand that the Takeover Panel is reviewing responses to its consultation and will be responding in the New Year.

Tuberculosis: Vaccination

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to research into finding new vaccines for antibiotic resistant strains of TB; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to research into finding new treatments for antibiotic resistant strains of TB; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills supports research into TB through the UK Research Councils who support a broad portfolio of research addressing different aspects of the disease. This includes research on vaccines and treatments for antibiotic resistant strains of TB. The Medical Research Council (MRC) currently supports five projects directly relating to antibiotic resistant strains of TB with a total value of £5.7m. These include studies which aim to identify novel targets for antibacterial drug discovery, the development of new TB vaccines and antibiotics, clinical trials with a focus on translational and implementation research relevant to developing countries, and health services and health systems research. The MRC is also leading an anti-microbial resistance (AMR) funders’ forum to coordinate activities in this area and an initiative involving all of the UK Research Councils on which aims to tackle resistance and try to develop treatments and diagnostic tools. In addition the MRC also supports a broader portfolio of research into TB likely to improve our understanding and inform future research into antibiotic resistant strains. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) are funding research into new treatments for antibiotic resistant strains of TB in addition to research on vaccine development, which while not specifically addressing antibiotic resistant strains is likely to improve our understanding and inform future research. An Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded study aims identify barriers to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment uptake while an EPSRC fellowship is looking at the transmission dynamics of TB. Researchers are also using the Diamond Light Source, to identify ways of disabling the enzyme that protects the TB bacteria and to understand the structure of the protein that enables the TB bacteria to survive in the human body. It is hoped that this work will make existing treatments easier and more effective and to help design new drugs. The Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron, funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). The UK is also a member of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) which aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other neglected diseases. In December 2014 the second phase of the partnership, EDCTP2 was launched aiming to contribute over 1billion euros over the next 10 years. Further information can be found at: http://www.edctp.org/

Ebola

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to research into finding a cure for Ebola; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to research into finding a vaccine for Ebola; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills supports research into Ebola through the UK Research Councils who support a number of research projects addressing different aspects of the disease. This includes work on vaccines, treatments and interventions, and finding a cure. Current Medical Research Council (MRC) funded research includes a £2.8m grant funding jointly by the MRC, the Wellcome Trust and DFID to allow a team led by the University of Oxford to test the safety of a candidate vaccine alongside similar trials in the US. The MRC Centre for Outbreak Analysis and Modelling, at Imperial College London, is an official WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Modelling. Researchers there have been providing advice to the WHO regarding the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa and contributed to a study reviewing data since the beginning of the outbreak in December 2013 to determine the scale of the epidemic, better understand the spread of the disease, and explore what it will take to reverse the trend of infections. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is supporting one £3.6m study which aims to improve our understanding of the cultural and political dimension to inform interventions. In addition researchers funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) are using the Diamond Light Source to investigate emerging viruses are making an Ebola protein for therapeutic antibodies. The Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron and is also funded by STFC. The UK is also a member of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) which aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other neglected diseases, including Ebola. In December 2014 the second phase of the partnership, EDCTP2 was launched aiming to contribute over 1billion euros over the next 10 years. Further information can be found at: http://www.edctp.org/

HIV Infection: Vaccination

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to research into finding a vaccine for HIV; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what support his Department provides to research into finding a cure for HIV/AIDS; and if he will make a statement.

George Freeman: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) supports research into HIV/AIDS through the UK Research Councils who support a broad portfolio of research addressing different aspects of the disease. This includes research on vaccines and interventions.   Research supported by the Research Councils includes Medical Research Council (MRC) funded studies which aim to understand the mechanisms of HIV infection through to novel strategies for preventing and controlling infections through research on human behaviour and lifestyle. Research supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) includes an evaluation of the impact of health care schemes in Rwanda providing basic preventive and curative health care services and HIV/AIDS treatment in addition to Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded research on drug delivery and vaccine delivery technology involving nanomedicines.   Researchers are also using the Diamond Light Source to advance the understanding of how HIV and other retroviruses infect human cells and replicate to inform the development of better treatments. The Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron, funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).   The UK is also a member of the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) which aims to accelerate the development of new or improved drugs, vaccines, microbicides and diagnostics against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other neglected diseases. In December 2014 the second phase of the partnership, EDCTP2 was launched aiming to contribute over 1billion euros over the next 10 years. Further information can be found at: http://www.edctp.org/

Higher Education: Finance

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to Annex 1 of his Department's grant letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England for 2014-15, whether he plans to amend funding priorities for social mobility in higher education for 2015-16.

Greg Clark: The Government will set out our priorities for higher education for 2015-16 in the annual Grant Letter to the Funding Council.

Groceries Code Adjudicator

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, when he expects to bring forward delegated legislation to set the level of fine available to the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

Jo Swinson: As required by section 9 of the Groceries Code Adjudicator Act 2013, the Adjudicator has consulted on a proposed maximum penalty, and has made a recommendation to the Secretary of State. This is currently the subject of cross-Government Ministerial consideration.

Postgraduate Education

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what equality impact assessment in relation to gender his Department carried out on the proposal to limit the new postgraduate student loan finance to students under 30.

Greg Clark: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Postgraduate Education

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what proportion of part-time UK postgraduate students of each gender were (a) under 30, (b) between 30 and 40 and (c) over 40 years of age on entry in each of the last three years.

Greg Clark: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Apprentices

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many (a) white and (b) Black and minority ethnic applicants started, (i) apprenticeships and (ii) traineeships in the last three years; and what proportion of each such group completed them.

Nick Boles: Information on the number of apprenticeship starts by ethnicity is published in a supplementary table to a Statistical First Release (SFR):   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/378235/apprenticeships-starts-by-geography-learner-demographics-and-sector-subject-area.xls   Apprenticeship success rates show the proportion of apprenticeships that are successfully completed in each year. Success rates by ethnicity are published in Table 13A of the Equality and Diversity data report:   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/351432/1213_E_D_-_Main_Tables_FINAL_XLS_September_14.xls   The number of traineeship starts by ethnicity is presented in Table 1.   Table 1: Traineeship starts by ethnicity, 2013/14  EthnicityTraineeship Starts% EthnicityBME2,00018.8%White8,40080.2%Not known/not provided1001.0%Total 10,400 100.0% Notes: 1) The source is the Individualised Learner Record. 2) Volumes are rounded to the nearest 100. 3) Percentages are calculated using pre-rounded data.   Traineeships is a new programme and we will look to publish further completion and progression data once the data quality is deemed acceptable. A separate note is available online where further details can be found: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/378733/traineeships-completions-and-progressions-note-nov14.pdf

Productivity

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps the Government is taking to improve productivity.

Greg Clark: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Counter-terrorism

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, which UK universities have agreed a Prevent strategy with their local police force.

Greg Clark: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for International Development

Renewable Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the capacity of her Departmental buildings for the micro-generation of renewable energy; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID has installed a biomass boiler in Abercrombie House. This is value for money due to income from the renewable heat incentive.

Afghanistan

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what projects her Department has which involve working with women in Afghanistan; and what the 2014-15 budget is for each such project.

Justine Greening: As was made clear at the London Conference on Afghanistan, it is vital that women and girls are put at the heart of political, economic and social life in Afghanistan for the country to develop successfully. Gender equality is mainstreamed across all DFID programming, so our entire annual budget of c£10bn for 2014-15 will contribute towards this.  In Afghanistan, DFID programmes to support women and girls include both direct measures, such as training for female Provincial Councillor candidates; and indirect, including our support for education sector salaries. The latter has contributed towards over 2.5 million girls attending school according to the latest figures from the Afghan Ministry of Education.

Developing Countries: Females

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department has taken to consult women's rights organisations and women in developing programming for its strategic priority on tackling violence against women.

Mr Desmond Swayne: My Department regularly consults with women’s rights organisations and women in developing programming to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG). Over the last few months, this has included several roundtables with representatives from diaspora communities in the UK and women’s rights organisations from across the world on FGM and other forms of VAWG, as well as meetings with representatives from the Gender and Development network and other women’s rights organisations.

Burma

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what funding her Department has provided to support women's organisations in Burma who document the sexual violence by the Burmese Army and assist survivors.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Tackling violence against women is a high priority for the UK in Burma. In Kachin state, DFID is providing humanitarian assistance for over 40,000 internally displaced people, of whom 21,000 are female. This assistance includes shelter, food and in certain areas specific support for victims of conflict, including for women affected by sexual violence. In the Burmese refugee camps in Thailand we are providing support to victims of gender-based violence including outward referrals to specialist centres.   We have agreed to provide funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for two specialists to further strengthen the response to gender-based violence in the conflict-affected areas of Rakhine and Kachin states. We continue to emphasise to the Burmese Government the need to protect all citizens and respect human rights, particularly for women, and the UK has agreed two new projects to tackle this problem in Burma, under the Foreign Secretary's Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.   In November DFID officials from the DFID Burma office met with the Women’s League of Burma (WLB) to discuss the UK’s work and listen to concerns raised by the WLB.

Department for Education

Armed Forces: Children

Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate she has made of the number of children from families serving in the armed forces in each local authority area who will be eligible for the pupil premium in 2015-16.

Mr David Laws: It is not possible to estimate how many children from families serving in the armed forces will be in maintained schools in England and classified as disadvantaged in 2015-16 who will attract the pupil premium until the information is gathered in the January 2015 school census. Our analysis of data from the January 2014 school census showed that nationally there were 57,940 pupils with a parent in the armed services who attended maintained schools in England. All of these pupils attracted additional service premium funding to their school, which is intended to be used to help service children with the potential challenges they may face as a result of their parent’s service to the country. Of these pupils, 6,161 also attracted pupil premium funding to the schools they attended in 2014-15 by virtue of being disadvantaged. The majority of these pupils (6,009) attracted the pupil premium through having been registered for free school meals at any point in the last six years. There are also 152 pupils who attracted the pupil premium through having left care through adoption, or via a Special Guardianship, Residence or Child Arrangements Order. These figures do not include those pupils who were in local authority care and were also classed as service children through having had a parent in the armed forces, as this data is currently unavailable.

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to insulate her departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has undertaken a number of steps to insulate its offices. All refurbishment work is compliant with the most recent building regulations, specifically the insulation requirements contained within Part L Conservation of Fuel and Power. The Department has also undertaken retrofit measures, such as draught proofing and the lagging of pipes, ducts and vessels.The Department’s new office in Darlington, currently under construction by Darlington Borough Council, is highly insulated and expected to achieve a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Excellent rating. As part of the Department’s proposed relocation to the Old Admiralty building in 2017, an energy conservation and insulation assessment is being undertaken.Parallel to work on insulation and energy conservation, the Department has implemented a more comprehensive carbon reduction programme, which has led to a 38% reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions since 2009-10. Primarily, this has been achieved through low and no cost energy efficiency measures, and operating offices more efficiently. In taking this action, the Department has reduced its annual energy bill by £1.4milion since 2009-10, and continues to work towards identifying even greater efficiencies.

Languages: Primary Education

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to ensure that the resources on the Primary Language Training Zone website continue to be available following the decision to close the site.

Mr Nick Gibb: Since 2011, CfBT Education Trust has hosted the Primary Language Training Zone website from its charitable funds without any maintenance or updates to the resources. When CfBT decided to cease hosting the site they advised users that the site’s content was freely available under the government open source licence and encouraged users to download any resources of continuing interest. The Department for Education arranged with CfBT Education Trust for copies of the archived content to be provided to both the Association of Language Learning and the University of Roehampton. We understand that these two organisations are considering how to make some of the resources available via their own websites.

Teachers: Bureaucracy

Mr Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will respond to the National Union of Teachers' eight-step action programme to tackle excessive teacher workloads.

Mr David Laws: The Secretary of State for Education has confirmed that reducing unnecessary workload for teachers is an absolute priority for this Government. She is committed to taking action and is exploring ways to do this with trade unions through the current programme of talks at the Department for Education. The Department welcomes the National Union of Teachers’ (NUT) contribution to the programme of talks and their further contribution to the debate through the proposed eight-step action programme for tackling workload. The Department will consider carefully the proposals put forward by the NUT. These will be considered alongside the results of the recent ‘Workload Challenge’, a survey of teachers launched by the Secretary of State and the Deputy Prime Minister, which closed recently after receiving more than 40,000 responses. The results are being analysed and a programme of action will be published early next year.This Government has taken steps to reduce bureaucracy and burdens on schools, but we know that there is more to be done and are absolutely committed to working with teachers to find solutions.

Schools: East Ham

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2014 to Question 216369, how many new school projects are currently being considered as alternative options for the East Ham Police Station site.

Mr Edward Timpson: As the location for the London Design and Engineering (LDE) University Technical College is now under review we are currently considering another three potential schools as alternative options for the East Ham Police Station site. In addition there may be further schools not yet actively being reviewed which might be appropriate for the site. A decision will be made in early 2015. Given the sensitivity of the discussions I am not able to release the names of the projects at this stage.

Schools: Ethnic Groups

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department has taken to increase representation of ethnic minorities in leadership positions in schools.

Mr David Laws: School workforce census data continues to show under-representation of particular groups of individuals within leadership positions. In particular there are significant leadership gaps for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and female leaders.   The Government has funded a wide range of local and centrally run programmes to address this under-representation. Activity has included a number of bespoke positive action programmes and the Ofsted Shadowing Programme that enables senior leaders from a BME background to shadow an Ofsted inspector and gain insight into school performance and effectiveness.   Whilst the Ofsted Shadowing Programme is still running, the other centrally run activity has been replaced by leadership development programmes which are locally designed and delivered by schools. We believe that this allows school leaders the freedom to use resources to target their specific needs and to develop high quality leadership for their pupils.   Ensuring that those from BME backgrounds can gain leadership positions is very important and earlier this year we funded collaborative groups of schools to develop their own solutions and leadership programmes to increase the diversity of the school leadership workforce. The scope of the funding covers any of the nine protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation).   30 school partnerships across the country are now running leadership programmes which will be completed by 30 June 2015. Of these programmes; 12 will specifically target teachers from a BME background, and 10 will focus on BME and women. A condition of the funding is that schools will share their learning with each other and more widely across the school system and we will be developing case studies to further disseminate learning. We expect all participants to gain next stage promotions within a year of completing programmes.

Schools: Staff

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps to improve the career structures and pension of school support staff.

Mr David Laws: School staffing policy is a matter for the devolved administrations. Central government has no role in making decisions on the pay and conditions of school support staff; these are matters for individual school employers. However, the Government expects schools to identify and fund appropriate training to promote the career development of support staff. The Department for Education is committed to raising the status and professionalism of school support staff, for example through the recently announced review of standards for teaching assistants.

Carers: Young People

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of young carers in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England.

Mr Edward Timpson: The Department for Education does not have reliable official figures on the numbers of young carers in the UK and estimates vary considerably. In England, the Department is investing in the first national research project on young carers. This will provide data about the numbers of young carers and their families, with information about the nature of the care they provide and the issues they face. Findings from this research should also offer a baseline from which we can measure the effectiveness of forthcoming legislative changes which aim to improve the identification and support of young carers and their families.The devolved governments are responsible for children who are carers in their areas.

Ministry of Justice

Sexting

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit an adult in England and Wales sending a message with sexual content to a child.

Mike Penning: It is vital we protect innocent victims, which is why tough sentences are available to the courts for sexual offences against children. There are already robust laws in place to deal with sexual offences against children, and paedophiles should be left in no doubt that they will face serious consequences. The Government has already brought forward amendments in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill at Lords Committee stage to amend the “grooming” offence at Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The amendment reduces the number of initial occasions on which the defendant must meet or communicate with the child in question from two to one. As my Rt Hon friend the Home Secretary indicated during Home Office oral questions on 17 November (House of Commons, official report, column 17), we will complete our consideration of the case for such a new offence in good time to enable an amendment to be tabled to the Serious Crime Bill in the House of Commons should the Government decide to do so.

Local Criminal Justice Boards

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the collection rate is for (a) fines, (b) prosecution costs, (c) compensation and (d) victims surcharge levied by each Local Criminal Justice Board in each of the last four years.

Mr Shailesh Vara: It has not been possible to answer this question within the timeframe. I will write to the Hon. Member in due course.

Prisons: Civil Disorder

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prison (a) riots and (b) acts of concerted indiscipline there were in each year since 2010.

Andrew Selous: The term "riot" is not a category that is used to record incidents in prison. Incidents where two or more prisoners act together to defy a lawful instruction or against the requirements of the regime of the establishment are all recorded as Concerted Indiscipline. The table below provides the number of reported incidents of concerted indiscipline between January 2010 and September 2014.Concerted indiscipline incidents vary widely in nature and duration and many of these incidents are relatively minor and of short duration and cause little disruption to the prison regime. Only a very small number of these incidents are serious enough to require external support from specialist intervention teams and the number of such interventions has not increased over recent years. Table 1: Concerted Indiscipline, by year, January 2010 to September 2014 20102011201220132014 (to 30th September)Concerted Indiscipline10411494147153  These figures have been drawn from live administrative data systems which may be amended at any time. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system

Prisons: Sports

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate he has made of the average number of hours per week offenders in (a) youth custody institutions and (b) adult prisons were physically active in each year since 2010.

Andrew Selous: All prisons are required to provide physical education (PE). The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) promotes participation in activities supervised and organised as part of an establishment’s agreed PE programme. Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 58/2001 Physical Education for Prisoners specifies the requirement for prisons to offer a range of sport and gym based activity for a minimum of two and half hours a week. Additionally, the NOMS’ Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme covers a range of privileges including how prisoners may earn additional time outside of their cells to engage in activities (other than work, education, treatment interventions or religious services) such as PE. Prisons are encouraged to provide a range of physical activities that suit the particular population balance within resources/facilities available. It is also important to note that the design for the new Secure College Pathfinder includes enhanced sports facilities, including a running track, indoor gym hall and gym classroom. The range of facilities reflects the importance we place on physical education, sport and outdoor activities as part of an environment which is suitable for young people and an integral part of a sound and challenging education. Specific data on the number of hours a prisoner engages in physical activity is not available as this varies by individual prison and prisoner depending on the IEP level the prisoner is on, the behaviour of the individual, the availability of constructive activities and supervisory staff. NOMS recognises the importance physical activity plays in the overall well-being of prisoners and the effect PE can have on supporting other programmes designed to reduce offending behaviour.

Prisoners

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people in each age group have been admitted to prison in each year since 2011.

Andrew Selous: Annual information on receptions of offenders into prison establishments in England and Wales is published routinely in the Annual Tables of the ‘Offender Management Statistics Quarterly bulletin’ and can be found in Table A2.4. Copies of the publication are available from the Library of the House and via the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/305747/2013-Annual.zip

Crime

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) adults and (b) juveniles in each local criminal justice board area were convicted of (i) violence against the person, (ii) sexual offences, (iii) robbery, (iv) burglary and (v) theft in each year between 2010 and 2014.

Mike Penning: Whilst crime is falling, more offenders are going to prison and for longer. In 2013, for the first time in the past decade, immediate custody was the most common disposal given for indictable offences. It is also important to note that more sexual offences have been dealt with this year as more victims come forward for historical crimes and because of generally increased reporting. The number of offenders found guilty at all courts, by age group, offence type and Police force area, in England and Wales from 2010 to 2013 (the latest data available) can be viewed in the table. Data by police force has been provided as we are not able to group results from the Crown Court by local criminal justice board. Court proceeding data for calendar year 2014 is planned for publication in May 2015.



Offenders found guilty at all courts 2010-2013
(Excel SpreadSheet, 33.11 KB)

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Electoral Register

Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how many and what proportion of electors in each UK parliamentary constituency were (a) confirmed and (b) unconfirmed on 1 December 2014.

Mr Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission will be publishing data on the 1 December 2014 registers in England and Wales in February 2015. Data on Scotland will be published in April 2015 after the publication of the registers there in late February and early March.There is a delay between the date of publication and the availability of a national summary because the data needs to be collected from 348 electoral registration officers (EROs), collated and analysed in order to provide a robust and reliable assessment of the state of the electoral registers in England and Wales. Not all EROs will publish a register on 1 December as legislation allows them to delay publication in the event of a by-election.The data, when available, will be presented by local authority and not by parliamentary constituency.The timing of the Commission’s report was highlighted in the written statement it tabled on 21 October, which also announced the publication of data on the results of the confirmation process, undertaken in summer 2014 as part of the move to Individual Electoral Registration. This data was made available by the Commission by parliamentary constituency and local authority and is available on its website.

Electoral Registration Officers

Sadiq Khan: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, on how many occasions Electoral Registration Officers did not meet the Electoral Commission performance standards; how many directions were issued by the Commission in response to such occasions; and on how many such directions Ministers have acted.

Mr Gary Streeter: The number of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) who did not meet one or more of the Commission’s performance standards in each year since their introduction in 2008 is as follows: 20082992009185201060201167201232201323 In 2013 the Commission introduced a new performance standards framework for EROs to support them in preparing for and delivering the transition to Individual Electoral Registration. In March 2014 we reported that no EROs failed to meet the first of these standards.More detailed information on the performance of EROs in each year is available on the Commission’s website.The Commission has not to date made any recommendations to the Secretary of State to issue a direction to individual EROs.Where an ERO does not carry out their duties in full, the Commission’s priority is to take action to ensure that the ERO makes improvements to their performance in the discharge of their functions. In doing this, the Commission considers the full range of available options, taking into account the facts in each particular case. This could include making a recommendation to the Secretary of State to issue a direction to the ERO to require them to make improvements.

Ministry of Defence

Flexible Working

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many and what proportion of (a) women and (b) men have made a statutory application to request flexible working in his Department; and how many of those applications have been granted to date.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 26 November 2014



The Ministry of Defence recognises that it is more likely to attract and retain high calibre staff if it allows its civilian employees to create a good work-life balance. The Department therefore strongly encourages managers to meet requests for non standard working patterns from all civilian staff wherever business requirements allow. Many such requests are agreed at a local level on a non-statutory basis. The Department holds information on those statutory requests for flexible working which have been approved from 1 September 2011. Since that date, some 125 women and 30 men have had their statutory requests approved. However, information on applications which have been rejected is not held centrally. It is therefore not possible to state the total number of statutory applications made.

Afghanistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on how many occasions the United States Air Force has used a Royal Air Force Reaper Remotely Piloted Air System in Afghanistan in each year; how many times it released weapons; and what weapons were released.

Mr Mark Francois: Outside of the Launch and Recovery phase only UK personnel operated UK Reaper aircraft in Afghanistan.UK and US personnel operated both nation's Reaper aircraft as part of the Launch and Recovery phase. Information on the number of occasions that USAF personnel did so is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

AWE

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when the closing date will be for the review into the costs and construction timetable of Project Pegasus.

Mr Philip Dunne: Consistent with industry best practice for all projects, Pegasus is under regular review to ensure it meets the Ministry Of Defence's requirements effectively. There are no specific closing dates for these activities.

Armed Forces: Females

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that women soldiers are trained for front-line service.

Mr Mark Francois: Women in the Armed Forces already serve on the front line, having taken on an increasingly broad range of roles since the early 1990s.As the hon. Member will be aware, a review into the possibility of women serving in ground close combat roles is in progress.

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to insulate his departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: As part of its continuing energy efficiency programme the Ministry of Defence has invested in 1,400 energy efficiency projects. These include insulation measures as well as Building Energy Management Systems, boiler controls and LED lighting. These have been delivered across 223 Defence sites both in the UK and overseas.Energy efficiency improvements are undertaken as part of all Service Family Accommodation (SFA) upgrade programmes where appropriate. SFA improvements include new or improved loft insulation, external wall insulation and new doors, windows, boilers and heating systems.

Afghanistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on deploying Puma HC.2 helicopters to Afghanistan.

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Chinook helicopters and supporting personnel will remain in Kabul following the withdrawal of HM armed forces; and for how long such forces will be so deployed.

Mr Mark Francois: There are three Chinook helicopters and 51 associated personnel within the aviation detachment deployed in Kabul in support of the UK's contribution to the NATO Resolute Support Mission. In 2015 these will be replaced by three Puma HC.2 helicopters which will remain until the Mission concludes

Torpedoes

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans to announce the award of a contract for the Spearfish Torpedo upgrades.

Mr Philip Dunne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 16 October 2014 to Question 208467 to the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr Coaker)http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=208467

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35B aircraft need to be aboard a Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier before it reaches its initial operating capability; and whether the first F-35Bs used to meet such requirements will be from the US Marine Corps.

Mr Philip Dunne: The UK plans to have a squadron of UK F35Bs available at Initial Operating Capability. The exact number of aircraft embarked at any time will be dependent on the mission being undertaken.

Portsmouth Dockyard

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the power supply improvements and additional investment needed to prepare HM Naval Base Portsmouth to support two Queen Elizabeth class carriers; what options are under consideration; and what estimate he has made of the investment required in HM Naval Base Portsmouth as a result of such changes.

Mr Philip Dunne: The Ministry of Defence has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Army: Recruitment

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the regular Army annual recruitment target is for each year from 2014-15 to 2020-21.

Mr Julian Brazier: The Army's recruiting targets are determined by training requirements. The regular targets for 2014-15 are around 710 officers and 9,350 soldiers.The recruiting requirement for future years has not yet been set. It will be dependent on the most up-to-date available data on wastage rates and training duration.

Armed Forces: Discharges

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many people left the Armed Forces in each month from September 2013 to July 2014.

Anna Soubry: The information requested is contained in the table.   Monthly Outflow from UK Regular Forces September 2013 1,810 October 2013 1,810 November 2013 1,510 December 2013 4,480 January 2014 1,740 February 2014 1,440 March 2014 1,340 April 2014 1,490 May 2014 1,560 June 2014 1,980 July 2014 1,610 Source : Defence Statistics (Tri Service)  UK Regular Forces comprises trained and untrained personnel. It does not include Gurkhas, Full Time Reserve Service personnel and mobilised reservists. Figures show outflow from UK Regular Forces, both trained and untrained, including personnel leaving the Services & deaths. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Members: Correspondence

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department plans to reply to the letter of 5 August 2014 from the hon. Member for York Outer to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, about the relocation of 15 North East Brigade from Imphal Barracks.

Anna Soubry: I will reply to the hon. Member before the House rises for the Christmas recess.

Department for Work and Pensions

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions his Department has had on the effect of the seven day waiting period for jobseeker's allowance on those undertaking intermittent full-time employment via job agencies.

Esther McVey: The waiting days change does not affect existing ‘linking’ rules which mean that anyone leaving benefit for a period of up to 12 weeks, perhaps because they have taken short term employment, would not serve waiting days again when they reclaim. Therefore the Department has not consulted on the effect of this measure on intermittent full-time employment via job agencies.

Pensions

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent discussions he has had with employers on the creation of collective defined contribution pension schemes.

Steve Webb: Officials and ministers have had a number of conversations, during the policy development and consultation process, with employers who may be potentially interested in establishing collective arrangements for their employees. We cannot give details of the organisations concerned due to commercial sensitivities. We also sought input about the types of schemes that might be attractive to employers through our Defined Ambition and Collective Industry Working Groups.

New Enterprise Allowance: Stafford

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people in Stafford constituency are in receipt of the new enterprise allowance.

Esther McVey: Official Statistics on the numbers of New Enterprise Allowance mentoring starts and financial support starts are published quarterly and can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/pre-work-programme-and-get-britain-working#new-enterprise-allowance-statistics These statistics include a spread sheet with a breakdown by Parliamentary Constituency, which shows there have been 60 starts on the New Enterprise Allowance financial support in Stafford.

Employment: Older People

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to support people over 50 seeking employment.

Esther McVey: We have a comprehensive menu of back to work support available, Jobcentre Plus’ use a range of innovative approaches to help older claimants. Local schemes include IT support aimed specifically at older people; dedicated advisers for those aged over 50; and help to convert dated qualifications into certifications that are relevant for modern employers.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's guidance for Performance Measurement Review Officers on how to conduct a review.

Mr Mark Harper: The Department for Work and Pensions has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many performance measurement review officers his Department has employed.

Mr Mark Harper: The Department’s Performance Measurement team totals 230 staff in post. There are 91 visiting staff in post undertaking face to face reviews.

Disability

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much the Government has spent on legal fees on court proceedings relating to disabled people and the (a) under-occupancy penalty and (b) Independent Living Fund in (i) 2013 and (ii) 2014 to date.

Mr Mark Harper: This Government has robustly defended its policies in relation to the closure of the Independent Living Fund and the removal of the Spare Room Subsidy. The total legal costs invoiced to date, inclusive of VAT, in respect of both policies, where disability formed part of the grounds of the claim, are as follows: Policy2013 (£)2014 to date (£)Independent Living Fund16,643219,728Removal of Spare Room Subsidy66,821111,804

Personal Independence Payment

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people with MS have been awarded (a) personal independence payment and (b) the enhanced mobility award of personal independence payment to date.

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will publish or place in the Library a breakdown of personal independence payment by claimants' main disabling condition in a similar format to the information previously provided on disability living allowance claimants.

Mr Mark Harper: Information on the number of claimants in receipt of personal independence payment, by a range of detailed breakdowns, has been published and can be found at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk   Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at: https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat-Xplore_User_Guide.htm.   Breakdowns by main disabling condition are currently available against 21 high level descriptors. From 17 December more detailed breakdowns of main disabling condition, including multiple sclerosis, will be available.

Social Security Benefits

Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to protect sensitive information from being shared by performance measurement review officers when visiting a claimant who lives in shared accommodation.

Mr Mark Harper: Performance Measurement staff, like all DWP staff, follow the processes and policies the Department has in place to safeguard claimant’s information. This includes undertaking the Responsible for Information Security learning. They understand the Handling Official Information and follow the guidance on this and Remote Working Securely. Their line managers also carry out validation checks to ensure that they are compliant with the necessary processes. In all cases when visiting a claimant to undertake a review they request evidence verification to ensure they are speaking to the right person before proceeding with the review interview.

Vacancies: Internet

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many complaints his Department has received about the universal jobmatch service since November 2012.

Esther McVey: The detailed complaints information you request is not collated to this level and to do so would incur disproportionate costs.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to publish the number of jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance claimants who have been subject to mandatory reconsideration.

Esther McVey: The Department works to guidelines set by the UK Statistics Authority to ensure we publish statistics that meet high quality standards at the earliest opportunity. The Department will pre announce a publication date for mandatory reconsideration statistics once Departmental statisticians are content that the data meet the quality standards set out by the Statistics codes of practice.

Independent Living Fund

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal assistants are employed under the Independent Living Fund.

Mr Mark Harper: The Independent Living Fund does not collect or record data on how many personal assistants are employed by its users, either directly or through an agency.

Access to Work Programme

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the closure of the Independent Living Fund on demand for the Access to Work scheme.

Mr Mark Harper: The potential implications of closing the Independent Living Fund are set out clearly in the Equality Analysis published on 6 March 2014.

Housing Benefit: Scotland

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much his Department has provided to each local authority in Scotland for the administration of housing benefit for (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14, (e) 2014-15 and (f) 2015-16.

Steve Webb: The allocation of Housing Benefit administration funding is based on a methodology agreed by the Department and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) along with the local authority associations for England and Wales. Details of the allocation for each year from 2010 are highlighted in the subsidy circulars listed below.   2010/11 – is in S9/2009.http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100210151716/http://dwp.gov.uk/docs/s6-2009.pdf   2011/12 – is in S5/2010. http://www.hblearning.co.uk/media/circular_summaries/2010/1012/S5v2010_Full.pdf   2012/13 – is in S9/2011. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226906/s9-2011.pdf   2013/14 – is in S5/2012 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226452/s5-2012.pdf   2014/15 – is in S10/2013 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261037/s10-2013.pdf   2015/16 – is in S6/2014 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/376885/s6-2014-scotland.pdf

Housing Benefit: Scotland

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how his Department has determined the cost of housing benefit administration to local authorities in Scotland since 2010.

Steve Webb: Central government provides a contribution to the cost of Housing Benefit administration. The allocation of this funding is based on a methodology agreed by the Department, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities along with the local authority associations for England and Wales. Details of the methodology for each year from 2010 are highlighted in the subsidy circulars listed below.   2010/11 – is in S9/2009.http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100210151716/http://dwp.gov.uk/docs/s6-2009.pdf   2011/12 – is in S5/2010. http://www.hblearning.co.uk/media/circular_summaries/2010/1012/S5v2010_Full.pdf   2012/13 – is in S9/2011. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226906/s9-2011.pdf   2013/14 – is in S5/2012 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226452/s5-2012.pdf   2014/15 – is in S10/2013 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261037/s10-2013.pdf   2015/16 – is in S6/2014 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/376885/s6-2014-scotland.pdf

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Farms: Inspections

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues about (a) reducing avian influenza farm checks and (b) transferring the responsibility of avian influenza farm checks from government agencies to industry; what her policy is on the future of animal and plant health checks; and if she will make a statement.

George Eustice: Under the Government’s Red Tape Challenge, Defra undertook to develop a more targeted approach to farm inspections. The aims are to reduce the burden of inspections on farmers with a good track record of compliance and to ensure that farm inspections are carried out as efficiently as possible, whilst maintaining animal health and welfare, food safety and environmental standards. Changes under consideration include combining more inspections, allowing more farmers to benefit from “earned recognition” and improving the planning and co-ordination of inspections by regulators.   Surveillance for avian influenza is carried out in accordance with European legislative requirements. A prompt veterinary investigation into reports of potential exotic notifiable disease is an important element of our disease response. In the current case of confirmed AI infection in Yorkshire, early confirmation of the disease following the initial report allowed quick and robust action to be taken.

Newts

Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the average change in (a) costs and (b) completion time of construction projects as a result of licences granted to protect great crested newts under the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) (Amendment) Regulations 2007, in each year since 2007.

George Eustice: In June 2013, Natural England introduced modifications to their licensing procedures for great crested newts. The savings to applicants until the end of November 2014 are estimated at £276,000.   Delays avoided by applicants through the use of this approach to licensing, over the same period, is estimated as 1,104 weeks.   Prior to 2013, no estimate has been made of the difference in costs and completion times.

Newts

Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many great crested newt licences have been (a) applied for and (b) granted in each year since 2007.

George Eustice: Information on great crested newt mitigation licences prior to 2008 is not readily available. Licence applications received in one calendar year for work to be carried out the next year may not have been processed until early the following year.The figures for new licences are: ApplicationsLicences granted2008133100200919319520102192272011195205201222618520132392552014269249 The following applications to modify an existing licence were also made: Applications to modify an existing licenceModified licences granted200810477200921717620102181782011191151201222617120133082202014229247

Bovine Tuberculosis: South West

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2014 to Question 211130, how many people monitored the badger cull in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) Somerset on each night of each such cull during the licence period.

George Eustice: During the second year of the culls, Natural England conducted visits, as part of its role as licensing authority, to monitor compliance and to contribute to humaneness monitoring. A total of thirteen monitors were available to carry out this monitoring, with six assigned to West Gloucestershire and five to West Somerset; the remaining two monitors alternated between each area.   The following table sets out the number of monitoring visits carried out in each area for each week of the six-week culls:West GloucestershireWest SomersetWeek 11213Week 2218Week 31615Week 42113Week 51917Week 61520Total visits10486Average visits per week17.314.3  Two further monitors conducted field visits of cage trapping and dispatch as part of licence compliance monitoring.

Newts

Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of great crested newts in England in each year since 2007.

George Eustice: Great crested newt populations show large natural fluctuations and it is not possible or appropriate to estimate the actual numbers. Instead, great crested newts are monitored by assessing the number of ponds that they occupy. In 2011 it was estimated that there were approximately 53,720 occupied ponds.

Tree Planting

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential for contour tree planting in areas with arable farming and the farming of sheep and cattle to improve (a) river water quality and (b) bathing water quality.

Dan Rogerson: Contour tree planting has been assessed alongside a large number of other mitigation measures for water pollution from agriculture through various research reports. More evidence is available on the benefits of contour tree planting to mitigate pollutants such as nutrients and sediments, while pathogens, which impact bathing water quality, have been less studied. However, it is believed that woodland creation could help to reduce pathogen delivery to watercourses as a result of soil structure and hydrological benefits (e.g. improved soil infiltration, drier and better structured soils and reduced surface runoff).   The Forestry Commission published a technical report in 2011 (Woodland for water: Woodland measures for meeting Water Framework Directive objectives), which set out the benefits of tree planting for water quality and flooding. The review highlighted how woodland creation could help to improve water quality by reducing nutrient, sediment and pesticide losses to water, as well as deliver other water and wider ecosystem benefits. This led to the development and use of national, regional and catchment ‘opportunity maps’ to direct planting to where woodland would be most effective within England. New national opportunity maps, showing where woodland creation could help to improve river and bathing water quality, will inform the targeting of grant payments under the new Countryside Stewardship scheme in England. This will include woodland creation options.   The report can be found at: www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/Woodland_and_WFD_mapping.pdf/$FILE/Woodland_and_WFD_mapping.pdf   Other research projects (relevant to both England and Wales) include:   Defra project LM0106 (Regulatory services delivered by hedges), which found strong evidence that hedges can be effective at preventing nutrients and other pollutants reaching water bodies if they follow slope contours; andDefra project WQ0106, which quantified the benefits of hedge and tree planting alongside a large number of other pollution reduction methods for farming.   Defra research reports can be found at: http://randd.defra.gov.uk.

Tidal Power

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the effect of river effluent on bathing water quality on coastal beaches which are located in tidal lagoon impoundment areas.

Dan Rogerson: No assessment has been made of the effect of river effluent on bathing water quality on coastal beaches which are located in tidal lagoon impoundment areas.

Dogs: Animal Breeding

Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the number of hobby dog breeders active in England in each of the last five years.

George Eustice: We have not made any estimate of the number of hobby dog breeders in England.

Dogs: Local Government Services

Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of local authorities have an on-call dog warden service available out-of-hours and at weekends.

George Eustice: No central records are held of the details of dog warden services provided by local authorities.

Game: Animal Breeding

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects a timescale for the peer review of the study on the scientific evidence for cage-based breeding for pheasants and partridges to be concluded.

George Eustice: We expect the study into the use of cage rearing systems to be published early in the New Year.

Dogs: Animal Breeding

Mike Crockart: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many dogs have been born in the UK in each of the last five years.

George Eustice: There are no central records of the numbers of dogs in the UK. However, estimates by animal welfare organisations and pet food manufacturers of the dog population in the UK range from 7 to 10 million.

Crops: India

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has she made of the implications for her Department's policies of the findings of the recent European Union Food and Veterinary Office report on India, audit number 2014-2705.

Dan Rogerson: The report was discussed in the Plant Health section of the European Commission’s Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed in November. After consideration by the Commission and Member States, the Committee will advise on whether enough has been done to justify an early review of the EU legislation which imposes the ban. We are pressing for an early decision, to provide clarity in advance of the next mango import season.

Home Office

Islamic State

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he plans to take to address the threat of IS to the UK.

James Brokenshire: JTAC raised the threat level on 29 August from SUBSTANTIAL to SEVERE. The increase in the threat level is related to developments in Syria and Iraq where terrorist groups, including ISIL, are planning attacks against the West. ISIL is a clear national threat to the UK, as it is a global threat to our international partners and the region. We believe that more than 500 individuals from the UK have travelled to Syria since the start of the conflict. It is estimated half of these have returned. We judge that a significant minority of UK extremists currently fighting in Syria are affiliated with ISIL. British citizens fighting with proscribed terrorist organisations would clearly pose a threat to the UK should they return. Such individuals are among our primary counter-terrorism concerns.The Government is taking steps to counter this unprecedented threat. On Wednesday 26 November, we introduced the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, in order to extend the powers available to our law enforcement and intelligence agencies. This Bill will ensure that we can: disrupt the ability of people to travel abroad to fight, as well as their ability to return here; enhance our ability to monitor and control the actions of those in the UK that pose a threat; and combat the underlying ideology that feeds, supports and sanctions terrorism. It includes provisions to:The powers set out in the Bill are essential to keep up with the very serious and rapidly changing threats we face.This legislation will provide additional tools to compliment work already underway to tackle the threat from ISIL under a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism led strategy. We must take action at home – but we must also have a comprehensive strategy to defeat these extremists abroad. This involves using all the resources at our disposal – humanitarian efforts, which Britain is already leading, to help those displaced by ISIL’s onslaught, and diplomatic efforts to engage the widest possible coalition of countries in the region as part of this international effort. At the UN, we are leading the process of condemning ISIL, disrupting the flows of finance to ISIL and forging a global consensus about preventing the movement of foreign fighters.This strategy also involves political efforts to support the creation of a new and genuinely inclusive government in Iraq and to bring about a transition of power in Syria that can lead to a new representative and accountable government that can take the fight to ISIL.We are determined to defeat the ideology of all forms of extremism, not just violent extremism. So we are banning preachers of hate, proscribing organisations that incite terrorism and stopping people from inciting hatred in our schools, universities and even our prisons. For those individuals who are at risk of radicalisation, agencies such as the police and local authorities work together to assess the nature and the extent of the risk and, where necessary, provide an appropriate support package tailored to individual needs. And we are working with industry to remove more extremist online material than ever before to protect those British young people vulnerable to becoming radicalised. Since the start of this government, the Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has secured the removal of 65,000 items from the internet that encouraged or glorified acts of terrorism. More than 46,000 of these have been removed since December last year. At present, content relating to ISIL, Syria and Iraq represents around seventy per cent of the Unit’s caseload.

Asylum

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of claims for asylum were successful in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: The table below shows the number of asylum initial decisions for main applicants in each of the last five years.  Grant rates for asylum, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave or other grants of stay for main applicants, 2009 to 2013(1)(2)Year% Granted200928%201026%201133%201236%201337%  (1) Figures for 2013 are provisional.   (2) Granted include grants of asylum, humanitarian protection, discretionary leave, leave to remain under family life or private life rules, leave outside the rules and UASC leave.

Armed Forces: Libya

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answers of 17 November 2014 to Question 213402 and of 11 November 2014 to Question 213405, how many of the Libyan service personnel who were in receipt of military training in the UK since June 2014 have been returned to Libya.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 21 November 2014



Of the Libyan service personnel who were in receipt of military training earlier this year, fewer than 10 remain in the UK. As the number of individuals is so few, consistent with our obligations under the Data Protection Act, it would be inappropriate to release further details.

Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on current investigations by the National Audit Office into the work of Serco at Yarl's Wood detention centre.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office holds no information on any investigations by the National Audit Office (NAO) into the work of Serco at Yarl's Wood detention centre. We have had no formal correspondence with NAO on this subject.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what changes relating to overseas students her Department has made to the points-based immigration system since May 2010.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 05 December 2014



This Government has overhauled Tier 4 of the Points-Based System with a package of measures to tackle the widespread abuse that was occurring when we inherited it in May 2010, while still attracting genuine students. We have cracked down on bogus colleges by making the Tier 4 sponsorship system more rigorous, and this has led to the removal of nearly 800 colleges from the Tier 4 sponsor register since 2011. In order to recruit international students, education institutions must demonstrate education quality, by undergoing an assessment of their education standards by an independent inspectorate, and a good track record of immigration compliance. Sponsors must make basic checks on students to ensure that they are genuine students. We have incentivised them to do this by reducing to 10% the permitted visa refusal rate from 1 November 2014. If more than 1 in 10 of a sponsor’s prospective students are refused a visa, they will lose their Tier 4 licence. We have made it more difficult for non-genuine students to abuse the system. They must demonstrate that they are a genuine student in a credibility interview, meet tougher English language and maintenance requirements and have a proven academic track record. We have introduced a maximum time limit on the period of study in the UK and if a student wants to undertake further study, they must show that this is academic progress. We have also restricted the right to work while studying for students at universities and publicly funded further education colleges, and removed them altogether for students at private colleges, where abuse was greatest. We have ensured that the UK’s university sector remains attractive to international students - they can use their own method to determine their student’s English language proficiency, their students can work whilst studying here, postgraduates can bring dependants and graduates can stay on and work if they can secure a graduate level job. We have doubled the number of places on the Graduate Entrepreneur scheme to 2,000, and created a new visa for graduates wishing to undertake a corporate internship, or professional training related to their degree. We also allow all students who have completed a PhD to stay in the UK for an additional year to work, gain experience in their chosen field, or set up as an entrepreneur. The latest statistics show that this approach is working – applications for study visas for university students have increased by 2% in the year ending September 2014, with a 4% increase for those with an offer from a Russell Group university. Whilst applications for study visas for further education – where the abuse was greatest – have fallen by 13% over the same period.

Immigration Controls

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she expects to have introduced exit checks in the UK.

James Brokenshire: Exit checks where abolished by the last government. This Government is committed to reintroducing exit checks by April 2015 on scheduled commercial international air, sea and rail routes.

Travel Restrictions: USA

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department takes account of the US travel ban list in determining whether to grant visa applications.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 05 December 2014



Visa applications are checked against a number of different databases. Any information that is provided from these checks is taken into consideration when considering the visa application. It is long-standing policy not to discuss specific information used to consider visa applications that is not already in the public domain, as to do so would not be in the interests of border and national security.

Paragon Properties

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many complaints her Department and the police have received relating to Paragon Properties PLC.

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what resources she has allocated to allow police to investigate property companies who steal deposits.

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to tackle fraud by property companies.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office does not hold data centrally on the number of complaints received relating to specific businesses. The Home Office provides police forces with their core Government funding. The allocation of budgets within police force areas is a matter for individual Police and Crime Commissioners, working with their chief officers and taking into account local priorities.The Government takes all types of fraud extremely seriously. We are working closely with law enforcement and industry to pursue and disrupt criminal activities, and ensure that the public has the knowledge to protect themselves. The City of London Police is the national lead force for fraud, and runs Action Fraud, the national reporting point for fraud and financially-motivated cyber crime. All reports made to Action Fraud are analysed to look for links between separate victims of the same scams. Where these are found, intelligence packages are sent to the police force best placed to consider enforcement action. In 2013/14, there were 40,000 intelligence reports disseminated to police forces in this way. We expect this number to increase this year and are working with City of London Police, and their partners, to deliver further improvements. Extra Home Office funding has also been provided over the last two years to assist the development of bespoke fraud units in every Regional Organised Crime Unit, which are now in place. From 1 October 2014 all residential and letting agents must belong to an approved redress scheme which will provide a clearer route for both tenants and landlords to pursue complaints and help to drive up standards in the private rented sector. We have also brought an amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill which will require all lettings agents to publish full details of the fees they charge. Under the Tenancy Deposit Protection legislation introduced by the Housing Act 2004, all landlords and agents are also required to protect deposits for all assured shorthold tenancies created since 6 April 2007, in one of the government-approved schemes, within 30 calendar days from the day the deposit is received.

Counter-terrorism: Northern Ireland

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she had with the Northern Ireland Executive before introducing the Counter Terrorism and Security Bill.

James Brokenshire: The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill is an urgently-needed response to the increased terrorist threat. It therefore relates to the matters of counter-terrorism and national security, which are reserved or excepted matters.However, given its impact on bodies in Northern Ireland, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Home Office consulted Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Executive officials (from the Department of Justice) prior to introduction, also sharing draft clauses of the relevant provisions.I have also written to David Ford MLA, the Minister for Justice in Northern Ireland, to set out the Government’s position formally. The Home Office is continuing to consult the Executive while the Bill is going through Parliament, in order to discuss how these provisions should apply in practice.

Asylum: Syria

Mr Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Syrian refugees have arrived in the UK following the decision to allow the resettlement of such refugees in the UK.

James Brokenshire: In the year ending September 2014, a total of 90 people were granted Humanitarian Protection under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.The Home Office publishes statistics on the number of people granted Humanitarian Protection in the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme in Table as_19 (Asylum data table Volume 4) of the quarterly Immigration Statistics release. A copy of the latest release, Immigration Statistics July to September 2014, is available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office/series/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release.

Overseas Students: Northern Ireland

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many EU students came to study in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

James Brokenshire: Statistics relating specifically to Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administration.

Overseas Students: Northern Ireland

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many non-EU students came to study in Northern Ireland in the last 12 months.

James Brokenshire: Statistics relating specifically to Northern Ireland are a matter for the devolved administration.

Asylum: Syria

Ms Margaret Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to make Syrian refugees who have relatives in the UK aware of the options for family reunification.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Drugs: Internet

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the contribution of 1 December 2014 by the Minister for Crime Prevention in the First Delegated Legislation Committee, what proportion of people responding to the survey hosted on the FRANK website said they were more likely to take a legal high having seen material on that website.

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Drugs: Misuse

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the contribution of 1 December 2014 by the Minister for Crime Prevention in the First Delegated Legislation Committee, how much her Department spent on public awareness campaigns on legal highs aimed at (a) UK festivals, (b) fresher's week and (c) school holidays in the last year; and what estimate she has made of the number of people reached in each period.

Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Armed Forces: Libya

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2014 to Question 216197, what personal information would be divulged by providing details about the number of Libyan service personnel who have been in receipt of military training in the UK that are being investigated for serious crimes and have also claimed political asylum in the UK.

James Brokenshire: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Personnel Management

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people her Department employs in human resources; how many of these are paid more than (a) £40,000, (b) £50,000, (c) £75,000 and (d) £100,000; how much was spent on outside human resources or recruitment consultants last year; and what her Department's total spend on human resources was last year.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Scotland Office

Renewable Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what assessment he has made of the capacity of his Departmental buildings for the micro-generation of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office keeps all measures to reduce carbon emissions, conserve energy, and cut costs, under regular review.

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what steps he has taken to insulate his Departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

David Mundell: The Scotland Office takes every opportunity to improve energy efficiency, for instance in 2013-14, we had works undertaken on the roof of our Edinburgh building which have improved the insulation of the building.

HM Treasury

Public Opinion

Mr Steve Reed: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department spent on (a) focus groups and (b) surveys in (i) 2013 and (ii) 2014 to date.

Andrea Leadsom: In answer to the first part of your question, the department is unable to provide spend on focus groups. The data is not held centrally, and to attempt to collect the information would engage the disproportionate costs threshold.   As to the second part of your question, I can confirm that the total spend on surveys by the department in 2013, and up to 31 October 2014 is as follows:   Financial Year April 13-March 14Financial Year April 14-March 15 10,604.4010,604.40Spend   This compares to £25,203.50 in 2008/09.

Islamic State

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to prevent the laundering of ISIL funds through Hawala brokers and similar informal money transfer systems; and if he will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: The UK has a comprehensive anti-money laundering (AML) regime and we are committed to ensuring our financial system is a hostile environment for illicit finances. We play a leading role in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the inter-governmental body that sets global standards on tackling money laundering and terrorist finance. The UK is considered by FATF to have one of the most robust AML and counter financing of terrorism (CFT) regimes.   A Hawala broker may operate as a Money Service Business (MSB) in the UK as long as it meets the requirements for registration with HMRC and FCA and follows the requirements of UK AML legislation. All MSBs are required to have systems in place to mitigate the risks of dealing with high risk customers, including those from high risk jurisdictions. HMRC is the supervisory authority for most MSBs under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs). HMRC’s role is to maintain a register of these businesses and ensure they are aware of, and comply with, their requirements by having appropriate risk based AML controls in place. HMRC is taking an increasingly robust approach to supervision of the MSB sector - for example, it committed to double its supervisory interventions in the sector by April 2015. HMRC is also focussing its efforts on raising the sector's understanding of the MLRs through providing updated guidance. Law enforcement, including the National Crime Agency and the UK National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit, actively look at the AML/CFT risks arising from the MSB sector.   Collective global action is necessary to tackle illicit finance including in relation to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the UK has been involved in two recent public statements, one by the FATF in October (http://www.fatf-gafi.org/documents/news/fatf-action-isil.html) and one at an international meeting on Combatting Terrorist Financing in November (http://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=7824&language=en-US&ItemId=4622).

Renewable Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the capacity of his Department's buildings for the micro-generation of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1 is the Treasury’s only freehold building. The building is Grade 2* listed, situated very close to Parliament and many other buildings of historic and architectural importance.   Of the three main renewable sources – solar, wind and water – from which energy can be micro-generated, only solar might be considered appropriate in this location.   Accordingly and in response to a ministerial initiative in February 2014, a brief study, in consultation with the PFI partner and FM provider, was carried out to assess the viability of solar photo-voltaic (PV) arrays on the building. The conclusion was that the clear roof and ground areas fall substantially short of the space required for viable arrays and the necessity of obtaining Listed Building Consent represents a formidable barrier.

Bank Services: Fees and Charges

Sir Greg Knight: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the level of unauthorised overdraft fees charged by banks in the UK.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government has not made an assessment of the level of unauthorised overdraft fees charged by banks in the United Kingdom.   In November 2011, the Government announced an agreement with the major current account providers to enable customers to control their account and to take action to avoid unarranged overdraft charges.   The Office of Fair Trading found in January 2013 that there had been a significant reduction in bank fees and charges since their 2008 market study, and estimated that there had been an annual saving of £928million for consumers as a result.   On 6 November 2014, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced its decision to launch an in-depth market investigation into the supply of retail banking services to personal current account customers and to small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK. The CMA have indicated that they will obtain information and analyse the level of transparency in relation to pricing including on penalty charges, quality and service across banks.

Infrastructure

Ms Diane Abbott: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the value of investment in infrastructure in (a) London and (b) England in the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Diane Abbott: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many jobs are provided by infrastructure projects in London.

Danny Alexander: The government recently published the National Infrastructure Plan 2014, setting out the government’s record on delivery since 2010 and a clear plan for each of the economic infrastructure sectors. It is underpinned by a pipeline detailing £466 billion of planned public and private investment to 2020 and beyond.   The government does not hold data on the exact number of jobs associated with infrastructure projects in London, many of which will be delivered by the private sector. However, government analysis based on ONS data suggests that infrastructure investment could directly support 5,000 construction jobs for every £1bn spent, as well as many more indirect jobs.

Average Earnings

Ms Diane Abbott: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to address squeezed real wages; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel: Real wages have been squeezed in recent years but, as the IFS have made clear, “this is a as a direct but delayed result of the 2008 recession”.  This government’s long term economic plan is working. Recent data from the ONS has shown that people working full time in the same job for more than a year have seen their pay rise by an average of 4.1%, more than twice the rate of inflation. The OBR forecasts that average earnings will grow in real terms in every year of their forecast.   Since the start of this Parliament this government has taken decisive action to support living standards. We have got 1.7m more people into work, boosting household incomes. As set out at the Autumn Statement, the personal allowance will now increase to £10,600 in April 2015, providing an income tax cut to the typical basic rate tax payer of £825 in cash terms. This government has also frozen fuel duty and Council Tax, provided additional support for childcare and cut energy bills, further supporting families budgets.

Broadband: Business

Helen Goodman: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to box 10.A of the National Infrastructure Plan published in December 2014, whether the £40 million referred to is in addition to the £150 million previously allocated for that voucher scheme.

Danny Alexander: The total budget for the Super Connected Cities programme remains at £150m. The government has announced that it will make £40m of this budget available in 2015-16 to allow existing cities to run the voucher element of the scheme for longer, and new cities to participate. This prolongs the duration of the scheme, which was originally planned to run until 2014-15.

Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to insulate his Departmental estate in order to improve energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Andrea Leadsom: 1 Horse Guards Road, London SW1, is the only building on the HM Treasury estate over which the department has the necessary control of the structure and services to consider improving energy efficiency by the provision of further insulation. However, as the building is Grade 2* listed, options for doing this are very limited.   The building was totally refurbished in 2002 under a PFI agreement and insulation in the structure was incorporated to the standard required at the time. It has solid walls and a flat roof structure, so retro-fitting further insulation would be both very expensive and disruptive to the business of the five Government departments and 10 ministers that operate from the building.   The PFI partner and FM provider concentrate on ensuring insulation to services are well-maintained and renewed when necessary. For example, the hot and cold pipework on the roof area have recently been reinsulated.

National Insurance: Young People

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will ensure that HM Revenue and Customs includes information on joining the Anthony Nolan bone marrow donor register in every letter sent to young people to inform them of their national insurance number.

Mr David Gauke: I refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to the hon. member for Blaydon (Mr David Anderson) on 8 October 2014. This can be accessed via:http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=208684

Public Expenditure

Rosie Cooper: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for public expenditure control of the conclusions of the NHS Five Year Forward View published in October 2014.

Danny Alexander: The funding announced in the Autumn Statement is a down-payment on the NHS's own long-term plan, fully delivering the investment required to make the Five Year Forward View a reality in 2015-16. It also provides funding to start delivering the changes necessary to ensure a sustainable NHS in future years. This has only been possible through good financial management of the Government’s budget, and through the success of the Government’s long term economic plan.

Tax Avoidance

Jenny Willott: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he has taken to reduce tax avoidance in the UK.

Mr David Gauke: I refer you to my earlier answer to the question asked by the Member for Stevenage (Stephen McPartland).

Income Tax

Diana Johnson: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate he has made of how much the reduction in the additional rate of income tax to 45 per cent is worth for a person earning £1 million a year.

Mr David Gauke: I refer you to my earlier answer to the question asked by the member for Inverclyde (Mr Iain McKenzie).

Infrastructure

Mark Menzies: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps he is taking to encourage investment in infrastructure.

Danny Alexander: I refer the hon member to the Chief Secretary’s earlier response to questions 1 & 12.

Economic Policy

Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress he has made on his long-term economic plan.

Andrea Leadsom: The government’s long-term economic plan is working, and the UK is expected by the IMF to grow faster than any other G7 country this year. Inflation is below target, the deficit is forecast to have halved as a share of GDP in 2014-15, and there are record numbers of people in work. But the job is not yet done and the biggest risk now to the recovery would be abandoning the plan that is delivering a brighter economic future.

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Renewable Energy

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the capacity of his Department's buildings for the micro-generation of renewable energy; and if he will make a statement.

Amber Rudd: The Department has assessed the capacity for micro-generation of renewable energy of its buildings, particularly the installation of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal panels, on several occasions over the past four years. So far this has not proved as effective as energy saving measures in reducing the department’s carbon footprint. We are keeping this position under review. DECC has a very small estate and so the opportunities for micro-generation are limited.

Tidal Power

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of tidal impoundment schemes to (a) local economies and (b) the UK economy.

Amber Rudd: The Government’s 2010 Severn Tidal Power feasibility study [1] assessed in great detail the potential contribution of 5 generic Severn Estuary tidal range schemes to the local and UK economies, including a regional economic impact study [2]. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/1-severn-tidal-power-feasibility-study-conclusions-and-summary-report [2] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/7-severn-tidal-power-regional-economic-impacts-study

Cabinet Office

Honours: Commonwealth

Simon Kirby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many British honours were awarded to Commonwealth nations in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Francis Maude: The following British honours were awarded to Commonwealth citizens: New Year 2012 – 9; Birthday 2012 – 12; New Year 2013 – 16; Birthday 2013 – 24; New Year 2014 – 9; Birthday 2014 – 8. These numbers may include dual nationals.

Honours

Simon Kirby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people have received the British Empire Medal since 2012; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Francis Maude: Since the British Empire Medal was reintroduced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2012, 1,505 people have been awarded the medal.

Breast Cancer

Michael Dugher: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people in (a) Barnsley East constituency, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) the UK have been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in the last three years; and how many such patients have been referred to palliative care.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Breast Cancer Diagnosis
(PDF Document, 80.04 KB)

Jobseeker's Allowance

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of those aged 16 to 24 claiming jobseeker's allowance for 12 months or more were (a) white British and (b) any other ethnic group at the most recent date for which information is available.

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many and what proportion of those aged 25 or over claiming jobseeker's allowance for 24 months or more were (a) white British and (b) any other ethnic group at the most recent date for which information is available.

Mr Rob Wilson: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply. 



ONS Letter to Member - Jobseekers Allowance
(PDF Document, 116.08 KB)

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Tickets: Sales

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which non-executive directors in his Department have been involved in discussions on policy relating to the secondary ticketing market; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant: None of the Department's Non-Executive Board Members have been involved in discussions on policy relating to the secondary ticketing market. The role of the Non-Executive Board Members is to provide advice and challenge to the Department and its Ministers on strategic and operational issues. They do not have a role in policy making.

Directors

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department takes to avoid conflicts of interest among its non-executive directors; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant: Non-Executive Board Members are required to complete an annual declaration of interests, declaring any personal or business interests for themselves or their close family which may, or may be perceived to influence their judgement. At each Board or Committee meeting with Non-Executive Board Members present, attendees are routinely asked at the start of the meeting to declare any interests in the agenda items and to withdraw from any discussion where such an interest is identified

Tickets: Sales

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what sport governing bodies he has met to discuss the secondary ticketing market; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant: Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on the Departmental website:https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/313639/Transparency_Declarations_Oct-Dec_2013_csv.csv/preview

Directors

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when his Department's non-executive directors met ministers or officials in his Department in the last two years; what the agenda of each meeting was; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant: There have been 20 formal meetings between Non-Executive Board Members and ministers and officials in this period, the agendas for which are set out below. Any informal meetings are not recorded.   Departmental Board agenda items December 2012 to December 2014 26 March 2013Permanent Secretary’s UpdateFinanceDCMS 2013-16Performance and Capability16 May 2013Permanent Secretary’s Update including update from Performance Review GroupFinance UpdateSoft power’ and influencing internationallyCivil Service Reform: Capability & CapacityBoard effectiveness evaluation15 July 2013Permanent Secretary’s Update including update from Performance Review GroupFinance UpdateDCMS & ALBsCapacity and PrioritisationBroadband10 September 2013Update from the Executive BoardUpdate from Performance Review GroupFinance UpdateDCMS – working for growthInternal Audit’s approach to DCMS and its ALBs28 November 2013Permanent Secretary’s UpdateUpdate from Performance Review GroupFinance UpdateThe Value of Culture15 January 2014Permanent Secretary’s UpdatePerformance ReportFinance UpdateDepartmental Improvement PlanStaff Engagement24 March 2014Permanent Secretary’s UpdatePerformance ReportFinance UpdateSynergies between GEO and wider Departmental agendaFirst World War commemorations – strategic risk management14 May 2014Permanent Secretary’s UpdateStrategic NarrativeBoard Effectiveness ReviewPerformance ReportFinance UpdateALB accountabilityBDUK Overview14 July 2014Permanent Secretary’s UpdatePerformance Review, including FinanceStrategic Property Agenda20 October 2014Permanent Secretary’s UpdatePerformance Review, including FinanceImplications for DCMS of Scottish Referendum   Departmental Sub Board agenda items December 2012 to December 2014The Departmental Sub Board was established in September 2014 to supplement the Departmental Board. 15 September 2014 Sub-Board Operating FrameworkPermanent Secretary’s UpdatePerformance Review including FinancePeople StrategyAnnual Stocktake   Audit and Risk Committee agenda items December 2012 to December 2014 December 2012 Scene settingGovernment Equalities Office:DCMS Group AccountsNLDF / OLDF accountsInternal Audit ReportOlympics 8 April 2013 Scene SettingDCMS Group AccountsOLDF/NLDF plansInternal AuditOlympics 11 June 2013 Scene SettingBroadband UpdateSpending Review – outcome for DCMSFinancial Statements 29 October 2013 Scene SettingBroadband – Urban VouchersGovernance Statement and year-end assuranceConsolidated Accounts for DCMSNAO ReportInternal Audit ReportFraud, error and debt  18 December 2013Scene SettingNational Lottery Annual Assurance ReviewALB Risk ReviewIssues arising from Consolidated Accounts for DCMSNAO ReportInternal Audit ReportLiabilities that DCMS will inherit when ODA closesInformation assurance and system security 5 March 2014 Scene SettingConsolidated Accounts for DCMSNAO ReportInternal Audit ReportPreparedness for major ceremonialsImprovement programmeALB new governance arrangementsARC chair’s annual report to the Board and Accounting Officer 2 July 2014 Scene SettingNLDF/OLDF Annual Report & AccountsGroup Annual Report & AccountsNAO ReportInternal Audit ReportChanges to Corporate ServicesImprovement ProgrammeALB Governance Update 1 September 2014 Scene SettingGroup Annual Report & AccountsPlans for 14-15 Annual Report & AccountsNAO ReportInternal Audit ReportBDUKSecurity Policy FrameworkEmbedding Good Government Debt Management 4 December 2014 Scene settingGroup Annual Report & AccountsNAO ReportInternal Audit ReportShared Services UpdateOptions for Legal Risk reporting to ARCIT project update

Tickets: Sales

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills about the secondary ticketing market; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Helen Grant: I meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to discuss a variety of topics.

Deputy Prime Minister

Electoral Register

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many people who have registered to vote online were already registered.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Since 10 June, over four million people have applied to register to vote and about two thirds of those have chosen to do so online.Information on the amount of additional people that have joined the register since June will not be available until after the Electoral Commission publish their analysis of the electoral registers in February as part of their assessment of the transition to IER in England and Wales. The assessment for Scotland will be published by the EC in due course following publication of the Scottish registers at the end of February.

Electoral Register

Stephen Twigg: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, how many voters have fallen off the electoral register since the last Household Survey in 2013.

Mr Sam Gyimah: This information is not held centrally.

Department of Health

Nurses

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will estimate the number of qualified nurses of working age who are no longer working as nurses in the NHS.

Dr Daniel Poulter: No estimate has been made of the number of qualified nurses of working age who are no longer working as nurses in the National Health Service.   There are more nurses, midwives and health visitors working in the NHS than in May 2010.

General Practitioners

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GPs have retired at the age of 65 in each year since 2010.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The number of general practitioners who have retired at the age of 65 since 2010 is not available.

General Practitioners

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his contribution of 1 December 2014, Official Report, column 61, on NHS (Five Year Forward View), how many full-time equivalent GPs were in post on 1 April 2014; and how many he plans will be in post on 1 April (a) 2015, (b) 2016, (c) 2017, (d) 2018 and (e) 2019.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The annual National Health Service General and Personal Medical Services workforce census, published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre, shows there were 36,294 full time equivalent general practitioners (GPs) working and training in the NHS in England as at 30 September 2013. The next census, reflecting the position in September 2014, will be published in March 2015.   Health Education England (HEE) plans to increase GP training to 3,250 places per year by 2016 from an average of approximately 2,700 per annum over the last five years (representing a 20% increase).   HEE’s commitment to ensure a minimum of 3,250 trainees per year enter GP training programmes in England by 2016 will enable delivery of 20,682 newly qualified GPs by 2020 and will increase the total number of GPs available by 5,000.   Joint action with the Royal College of General Practitioners will seek to promote the future of General Practice and careers in it, so that young doctors choose to take these increased training opportunities.

General Practitioners

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his contribution of 1 December 2014, Official Report, column 61, on NHS (Five Year Forward View), what the cost is of funding the 20,000 posts; and from what budgets they will be funded.

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his contribution of 1 December 2014, Official Report, column 61, on NHS (Five Year Forward View), what the 20,000 additional posts are.

Dr Daniel Poulter: My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health used the number of 20,000 extra staff as an estimate of the number of posts, across all parts of the National Health Service clinical workforce, which could be filled following the announcement of £1.5 billion for the NHS frontline in 2015-16, as a way of putting the Chancellor’s pledge into context.   This £1.5 billion is part of a £2.5 billion funding package for the NHS in 2015-16 based on the government's long term economic plan.

Dental Services

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to oblige NHS-registered dentists to undertake root canal work in accordance with NHS Band 2 charges.

Dr Daniel Poulter: Dentists contract with NHS England to provide primary dental care. Dental regulations already set out the requirements on dentists along with the charges that may be levied for various levels of treatment. Dentists are required to deliver all clinically necessary treatment including routine fillings, root canal work (endodontic treatment) and more complex treatment such as crowns and bridges.   Failure to deliver treatment the dentist judged clinically necessary or, if the treatment is beyond the competence of the dentist, to refer on for other National Health Service care would be a breach of contract. Incorrect clinical care is also, potentially, a matter for the General Dental Council. If patients have concerns these should be raised through the NHS complaints process. This is set out at: http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

Thalidomide

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will request a meeting with the German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth to discuss possible compensation from the German government for British survivors of thalidomide; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: I am due to meet with the Minister for Europe on 17 December to discuss the issue of Thalidomide and will consider after that whether further representations need to be made to the German Government.   I met with the Thalidomide Trust on 23 June 2014 and agreed to write to my counterpart in Germany. I subsequently wrote to Manuela Schwesig, Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, on behalf of all four UK Governments, asking if she would meet with the Trust.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent discussions he has had with patient groups on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Norman Lamb: Genetic Alliance UK, of which Elhers-Danlos Support UK are a constituent member, are part of the Department’s UK Rare Diseases Forum, which meets regularly to discuss issues of United Kingdom rare diseases policy and to monitor the implementation of the UK Strategy for Rare Diseases.   There have been no recent direct discussions between my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patient groups.

Breast Cancer

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions his Department has had with NHS England regarding the 21 individual Breast Network Site Specific Groups who did not complete their most recent annual assessment as part of Cancer Peer Review requirements.

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken in response to the reduction in the number of operational Breast Network Site Specific Groups in England in the past three Cancer Peer Review cycles.

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps (a) his Department and (b) NHS England have taken to ensure that Breast Network Site Specific Groups complete their annual assessment as part of Cancer Peer Review requirements.

Jane Ellison: The National Peer Review Report 2013-14 is due for publication shortly and as part of this publication the Cancer Strategic Clinical Networks will be asked to address this issue.   NHS England is currently reviewing the national peer review programme with a view to considering how its success might be extended into other new areas of specialised commissioning. Regardless of the outcome of this review, cancer peer review will continue to play a critical part of any broader peer review programme we may look to introduce.   The provision of site specific networks, such as those for breast cancer, is written into the national peer review requirements, therefore the future of local breast network groups will be decided as part of the review of the programme.

General Practitioners: Recruitment

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of graduating medical students opted for general practice in each year since 2010.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The following table indicates the number of posts commissioned and filled and the fill rate for general practitioner (GP) training in England since 2010.Posts CommissionedPosts Filled% Filled20102,7322,800102.49%20112,6722,65899.48%20122,6872,66999.33%20132,7612,73899.17% Source: National Recruitment Office for GP training and Health Education England   The final fill rate for 2014 recruitment rounds will be confirmed by Health Education England (HEE) once all trainees have started in their training posts.   HEE has also been mandated to ensure that 50% of trainees completing foundation level training enter GP training programmes by 2016. To achieve this, HEE plans to increase GP training to 3,250 places per year by 2016 from an average of approximately 2,700 per annum over the last 5 years (representing a 20% increase).

Mental Illness

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of mental health service users also have co-morbid alcohol and drug dependence.

Norman Lamb: We do not hold information centrally on what proportion of mental health service users also have a co-morbid drug and alcohol dependence.

Multiple Sclerosis: Drugs

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the availability of sativex through the NHS with the classification of cannabis as a Schedule One substance.

George Freeman: Cannabis is a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and is listed in Schedule 1 under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. Cannabis in its raw form is not authorised as a medicinal product in the United Kingdom and no assessment has been made by the Government of its potential medicinal benefits.   Sativex is the first cannabis-based medicine (oral spray) to be recognised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency to have medicinal properties and is placed in Part I of Schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001. This distinguishes it from cannabis in its raw form which continues to remain a Class B and Schedule 1 controlled drug under UK legislation. A person can lawfully possess Sativex under a prescription issued by a qualified healthcare professional.   However, Sativex remains a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Act and Class B drug offences, including unlawful possession, supply, possession with intent to supply etc, continue to apply to Sativex.

Radiotherapy: Letchworth Garden City

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the accessibility of radiotherapy for cancer patients in Letchworth Garden City.

Jane Ellison: No assessment has been made by the Department.   NHS England advises that the closest radiotherapy services to Letchworth Garden City are at Mount Vernon Hospital in Hillingdon and Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.   NHS England is currently holding a public consultation on changes to the way radiotherapy services are commissioned and where they are provided.   NHS England will continue to review the need for additional Radiotherapy facilities outside the current centres if it benefits sufficient numbers of patients and will ensure that any changes are economically and clinically viable and enhance the existing care pathways.

Radiotherapy

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to provide satellite radiotherapy centres for patients who live in places which are inaccessible for existing radiotherapy centres; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: NHS England will continue to review the need for additional radiotherapy facilities outside the current centres if the case for change is of benefit to sufficient patients to deem it economically viable and if it enhances the existing pathways of cancer care.   The Radiotherapy Clinical Reference Group is planning to build on an earlier assessment of radiotherapy demand and capacity for England by considering aspects such as innovative treatments, stock of equipment and how need differs across different localities. This national overview will enable commissioners to ensure that the right services are in the right places to meet future demand, including innovative forms of radiotherapy.

Mount Vernon Hospital

Sir Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the journey time by car from Letchworth Garden City to Mount Vernon Hospital in Hillingdon.

Jane Ellison: No assessment has been made by the Department.

Autism

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department and NHS England are taking to ensure that local autism diagnostic pathways are improving outcomes for adults with autism locally.

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure professional awareness of diagnostic pathways will be prioritised among (a) health bodies and (b) local authorities in the statutory guidance on implementing the adult autism strategy.

Norman Lamb: The Department is currently seeking views on proposed new statutory guidance for local authorities and National Health Service organisations to support the implementation of Think Autism, the update to the 2010 adult autism strategy.   The consultation looks at issues including the identification and diagnosis of autism in adults, and the proposal that NHS England local audit teams should look at people’s experiences of the diagnostic process locally and assure themselves that this is acceptable. The consultation period began on 7 November and closes on 19 December 2014.   Responses are invited from a wide range of people and groups, including adults with autism, families and carers, health and social care organisations that plan, commission and provide services for autism and their families. The Department intends to issue the statutory guidance in February 2015.   Local authority areas will also report back on progress they are making on autism diagnosis and other issues in Public Health England’s forthcoming national autism self-assessment exercise on implementing the Adult Autism Strategy.

Carers

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will provide financial incentives to GP surgeries to identify and refer carers to local councils for support.

Dr Daniel Poulter: NHS England has no plans to introduce a new enhanced service scheme for 2015-16 to incentivise general practitioner (GP) surgeries to identify and refer carers to local councils for support. However, some existing enhanced services do offer support for carers. For example, one of the requirements of the Dementia Enhanced Service, known as “Facilitating timely diagnosis and support for people with dementia”, is that GP practices should identify carers of people diagnosed with dementia.   If the carer is registered with the practice, he or she should be offered a health check, which would include signposting to any other relevant services to support their health and wellbeing.

Mental Health Services

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the separation of commissioning of mental health and addiction services has led to an increase in use of crisis services among the co-morbid population.

Norman Lamb: Data is not held centrally on the number of people using crisis services who have a co-morbid substance misuse problem.   The Government’s mental Health Implementation framework – No Health without Mental Health, published in July 2012, highlighted the need to bring together local partnerships to improve mental health and enhance life chances and improve the physical health and wellbeing of people with mental health problems.   The Health and Social Care Act 2012 established Health and Wellbeing Boards as the statutory mechanism for bringing local systems together to understand and address local need through the joint strategic needs assessment, and joint health and wellbeing strategies.   Public Health England is committed to facilitating this approach through the development of updated guidance as part of the Mental Health Crisis Concordat action plan and has convened the national Mental Health Intelligence Network expert reference group (ERG) on Co-existing Substance Misuse and Mental Health Issues, which first met in March. The ERG has proposed to update the 2002 dual diagnosis guidance and oversee its implementation as a priority. This guidance is due for publication in September 2015.

Chronic Illnesses

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that people with (a) musculoskeletal disorders and (b) other long-term conditions are supported by (i) the NHS and (ii) their employers to remain in employment.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) is promoting and actively helping to develop the role of employers in supporting people with musculoskeletal disorders and other long-term conditions to remain in work (as well as prevention of these conditions). PHE’s work includes the National Workplace Wellbeing Charter, Evidence-based guidance for employers, supporting the Public Health Responsibility Deal and NHS Health Checks.

HIV Infection: Females

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many and what proportion of women patients were diagnosed with HIV in each of the last four years.

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the transmission of the HIV virus to women.

Jane Ellison: New diagnoses of HIV in women are declining in the United Kingdom. The Department funds HIV Prevention England which is a national HIV prevention programme which aims to increase HIV testing and reduce late diagnosis amongst the groups at highest risk of acquiring HIV, including black African women.   The following table provides the number of new HIV diagnoses in females in the UK by gender between 2010 and 2013.   New HIV diagnoses in females by year of diagnosis and gender: UK, 2010 – 2013   Gender2010201120122013Female2,023 (32%)1,774 (29%)1,740 (28%)1,522 (25%)Total6,333 (100%)6,173 (100%)6,245 (100%)6,000 (100%) Notes:  1. Data are sourced from laboratories, genito-urinary medicine clinics and other health care settings. 2. Numbers may change as further reports are received, particularly for recent years. 3. Totals include HIV diagnoses of individuals with sex not reported

Carers: Conditions of Employment

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate his Department has made of the number of carers on zero-hours contracts.

Norman Lamb: The Department does not collect this information centrally.   Terms and conditions of employment for social care workers are essentially a matter for local employers within the existing requirements of employment legislation.   Skills for Care, the partner in the sector skills council for social care, in England, collects information on the number of adult social care workers in England on zero-hours contracts.   The National Minimum Data Set for Social Care 2013 and Skills for Care workforce shows that there are an estimated 250,000 adult social care workers on zero-hours contracts.

Carers

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will provide additional financial support to carers.

Norman Lamb: We have legislated to give carers new rights, which mean that for the first time, they will have a legal right to receive support of their eligible needs. To meet the cost of these new rights, we are providing over £100 million in 2015-16 to local authorities, with consequent increases rising to around £300 million in 2019-20 and subsequent years. We are investing £400 million between 2011 and 2015, to improve National Health Service support for carers and to enable them to take a break from their caring responsibilities. The carers’ breaks funding of £130 million for 2015-16 will be in the Better Care Fund. Through the Carers Social Action Support Fund, Government has recently invested £700,000 in seven projects which will offer peer support and breaks that can make a difference to carers’ lives. The Department of Health, together with the Government Equalities Office and the Department for Work and Pensions, is investing £1.4 million in a number of local pilots to explore ways in which to help people balance work with caring responsibilities. In addition, we have set out our commitments to carers from 2014 – 2016 in the recently updated National Carers Strategy: Second Action Plan which also outlines the main achievements in recognising and supporting carers. The Government recognises that carers play a vital role in looking after friends or family members who need support. That is why we have continued to uprate the level of Carer’s Allowance by the Consumer Price Index. Carer’s Allowance will increase from £61.35 to £62.10 in April 2015 as part of the annual uprating of benefits. The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his 2014 Autumn Statement that the earnings limit in Carer’s Allowance will increase from £102 to £110 per week from April 2015.   People who are entitled to Carer's Allowance may have a carer premium, currently £34.20 a week, included in the assessment of income-related benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. An equivalent additional amount for carers is included in the assessment of Pension Credit. A carer element will also be included in Universal Credit at the rate of £148.61 per monthly assessment period. This means that carers can receive these benefits at a higher rate than other recipients.

Women and Equalities

Castes: Discrimination

Richard Fuller: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, on what date she plans to issue the public consultation as outlined in the Government's timetable for implementing caste discrimination legislation of 29 July 2013.

Nick Boles: We are currently considering the form and timing of the public consultation in the light of ongoing caste discrimination litigation in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. We will await the outcome of the judgment before deciding in what form to issue the public consultation

Castes: Discrimination

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2014 to Question 209041, when the final consultation on caste discrimination will be published.

Nick Boles: Holding answer received on 09 December 2014



We are currently considering the form and timing of the public consultation in the light of ongoing caste discrimination litigation in the Employment Appeal Tribunal. We will await the outcome of the judgment before deciding in what form to issue the public consultation